A fine striking partnership of Osama Hosni and Mauritanian striker Dominique Da Silva proved to be potent as both found the net to give Ahly a well deserved 2-0 home victory over SuperSport in their CAF Champions League round of 16 first-leg.
Hosni broke the deadlock after only three minutes when he headed a fine cross from Ahmed Fathi into the back of the net while Da Silva doubled the score just five minutes before the final whistle to give the six-time African Champions a good lead ahead of the return leg.
As expected, Ahly started on pressing and it immediately paid off when Hossam Ghaly sent Fathi clear on the right flank and the latter flipped it directly in the box to an unopposed Hosni to score the opener.
Left winger Sayed Moawad should have doubled the lead just a few minutes later when he was set up by inspirational playmaker Mohamed Abou-Treika inside the six yards but his effort was denied.
The visitors reacted and managed to create some dangerous chances through star striker Kermit Erasmus who has been a constant threat to Ahly’s defence. He could have restored parity but his corner kick was denied by the post.
Da Silva – who joined Ahly in January – came close to scoring his first official goal with the Red Devils when he went one-on-one with keeper Rowen Fernandez but his poor effort was no threat for the keeper to end this half with a tiny 1-0 lead.
The visitors improved after the interval and poured forward to secure a share of spoils, with Erasmus and Fikru Lemessa causing constant menace to Ahly’s defense.
Defender Ricardo Katza connected with Erasmus’s corner kick but he could only hit the side netting. A couple of minutes later Erasmus picked up a loose ball and headed goalwards but Ahmed El-Sayed cleared it before he could score.
Ahly’s Portuguese tactician Manuel Jose had to intervene to bring composure back to his side as he brought in international forward Mohamed Nagy “Gedo” in the 63rdminute and winger Ayman Ashraf seven minutes later, replacing Hosni and Moawad respecitvely.
The hosts were able to restore their domination and contain SuperSport's attack althoug Gedo had to pull off the game due to injury.
Da Silva – who was denied twice from close range by Fernandez – secured the win in the 85thminute after connecting with midfielder Mohamed Shawky who set him up in the box to curl it easily into the back of the net.
Ahly will face SuperSport on 2 April in the second leg in South Africa.
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