Mazambe players entering the pitch after half time (Photo: Ahram)
Smouha were handed their second successive defeat in the African Champions League group stage following a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of TP Mazembe at Alexandra Stadium on Friday.
Goals from Rainford Kalaba and Daniel Nii Adjei either side of the interval were enough to down Smouha – the sole Egyptian representatives in the Champions League this season.
The defeat is Smouha’s second in their debut campaign, as they now lie third in Group A on three points - while Mazembe are on top. It also marked their first slump under new coach Mohamed Youssef, who steered Cairo giants Ahly to the Champions League title in 2013.
Four-time African champions Mazembe had to wait till the 41st minute to open the scoring, with Kalaba scoring from the edge of the area past keeper Mahdi Soliman, to enter the dressing room one up.
Smouha looked much better after the break, and striker Hani El-Egeizi had a header denied by the bar, before Ivorian forward Hermann Kouao spurned a one-on-one chance following Alaa Ali’s excellent through ball.
But it was the visitors who managed to find the net late on, courtesy of a Nii Adjei strike that again beat the keeper seven minutes from time.
Smouha’s mission has become increasingly difficult in the group stage following their 2-0 defeat at Sudan’s Helal – who are tipped to march through with DR Congo’s Mazembe.
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