The match is called off due to the bad weather conditions. It is likely to be replayed on the same venue 24 hours later, but the official decision has not been announced yet.

17:50 Ahly players are pressing for the match to be resumed. Any delay could affect Egypt's preparations for a crucial World Cup qualifying playoff against Ghana on 15 October.

17:45 There are consultations between the referee and players and officials from both sides. The referee is yet to take a decision over whether to resume the match.

17:35 According to CAF's regulations, the match could be replayed.

Article 7 of the competition regulations states that:

"If the match is stopped before the end of the regular time for reasons of force majeure and notably for poor ground conditions and or bad weather conditions to be decided upon by the referee, the match is to be replayed 24 hours later at the same venue and with the same referees."

The match is apparently stopped by the referee due to the weather conditions.

The match's transmission abruptly stops on Al-Jazeera TV, the sole Champions League broadcaster for the Middle East. There is pouring rain in Garoua.

54 At the other end, a neatly-worked counter attack finds Soliman but, in a rushed effort, his attempted first-timer is collected by the keeper.

51 The first chance for Coton falls for Moussa Yedan, but his mis-hit shot misses the target from few yards out.

49 Ahly are continuing from where they left off in the first half. They still have the upper hand.

47 Ahly create an early chance!! winger Walid Soliman is picked out unmarked by a left-wing cross but his half volley goes into the safe hands of the keeper.

The second half is underway

The referee blows his half-time whistle, Coton Sport 0-0 Ahly

45 The referee adds one minute of stoppage time.

45 Ahly keeper Sherif Ekramy handles a long-range shot from Coton Sport.

43 Two minutes remaining before half-time. Ahly slightly had the edge in a cautious first half.

40 It's a fast-paced affair now. Ahly are piling on pressure upfront and Coton are launching some dangerous counter attacks.

38 Coton are repeatedly exposed on their right flank.

36 Another goal-scoring opportunity for Ahly!! A far-post header from attacking midfielder Abdallah El-Said, which is somewhat weak, is saved by the keeper.

34 Coton Sport remain on the back foot. Ahly look the more likely to score.

31 Ahly create their first real chance!! Abou-Treika is picked out at the far post and his free header is blocked by the keeper.

29 Ahly midfielder Shehab Ahmed is booked for simulation in the area.

28 Ahly are relying on Abou-Treika's deft passes to release Soliman and Moawad down the left. Such strategy proved fruitful so far, but the finishing touch is not accurate.

25 Ahly's left-back Sayed Mowad runs down the left unopposed and whips in a cross. Mohamed Abou-Treika's mis-hit bicycle kick goes high over.

22 Both sides are sending in some wayward crosses.

20 Both sides are struggling in the final third, where their build-up play usually stops.

18 Coton Sport take a quick free-kick and find the net but the referee stops play, preventing them from a potential chance to open the scoring.

15 The hosts are gradually gaining control of a cagey affair.

13 There are no clear-cut chances so far on either end.

11 Coton Sport have penalty claims waved away by the referee after a forward fell to the ground after being challenged by Ahly midfielder Shehab Ahmed.

9 It's now Coton's turn. They are beginning to push forward.

7 The visitors are still in control, dominating possession as Coton's players are still chasing shadows.

5 In Ahly's first foray forward, in-form winger Walid Soliman exchanges passes with left-back Sayed Moawad and sends in a cross that is cleared by Coton Sport's defence.

4 Ahly are smoothly moving the ball around in the early stages.

2 Ahly coach Mohamed Youssef deploys an attacking-minded line-up, signaling his intention to at least score an away goal.

The match is underway

15:15 Ahly's starting line-up: Sherif Ekrami - Sayed Moawad, Wael Goma, Mohamed Naguib, Ahmed Fathi - Hossam Ashour, Shehab Ahmed, Walid Soliman, Abdallah El-Said, Mohamed Abou-Treika - Ahmed Abdel-Zaher.

13:00 Ahly will only miss striker Emad Meteb, who has yet to fully recover from a niggling back complaint.

12:30 Ahly finished on top of Group A with 11 points in a superb group-stage campaign that saw them lose once against Orlando Pirates and included a remarkable 4-2 victory over arch-rivals Zamalek in the Cairo derby.

Welcome to Ahram Online's live coverage of Ahly's clash at Cameroonian side Coton Sport in the first leg of the African Champions League semi-final.

Ahly, who are eyeing a second consecutive Champions League triumph,  prevailed the last time they met Coton Sport, beating them 4-2 on aggregate in the 2008 final.

The Red Devils are favourites to advance to the final, where they will meet either Esperance of Tunisia or South Africa's Orlando Pirates, who face off in the other semi-final clash.

Ahly-Coton Sport game will take place at  the Omnisports Roumde-Adja Stadium in Garoua.

For the match preview, click here. 

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