Ahly's new coach Patrice Carteron expressed delight with the Reds' performance in Tuesday's 3-0 victory over Botswana's Township Rollers, insisting that his team won with the least effort despite being away of full fitness.

"The match was so difficult, especially amid the current time and circumstances — after the return of our international players from the World Cup," Carteron said in the press conference after the match, "so the team's fitness was not 100% complete," he added.

After a poor start at the African Champions league group stage under former coach Hossam El-Badry, the Cairo giants granted their French coach a winning start in Alexandria; assuring the club fans that they can still claim a record-extending ninth Champions League triumph.

"We won with the least effort. I am very happy that we showed our strength in the game," Carteron said.

"When I came to Ahly I found many fit players, so everyone will get his chance soon." 

Ahly claimed only one point from their opening two games in Group A of the Champions League, drawing 0-0 with Tunisia's Esperance and suffering a shock 2-0 loss at Uganda's Kampala City.

Ahly now moved second in the group with four points, three behind leaders Esperance who came from two goals down to record an impressive 3-2 win over Kampala at home. Kampala and Township Rollers have three points each.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)