Defending champions Ahly continued their winning run in the league with a 2-0 victory against Dakhleya on Friday climbing up the Egyptian league ladder towards the top.
Moroccan striker Walid Azaro opened the scoring in the 16th minute and Saad Samir secured the victory in the 86th minute to put their team at the fourth place with 16 points, 7 behind leaders Ismaily, with four matches in hand.
The Cairo giants pressed their visitors from the beginning and could have broke the deadlock as early as the second minute when Moemen Zakareya fired at the far post only to be denied by Dakhleya defender Mansour from the goal line.
They had to wait until the 16th minute when Walid Azaro scored from close range after being set up by Abdallah El-Said, following neat interplay between El-Said, new South African signing Phakamani Mahlambi – and the Moroccan striker.
The Red Devils dictated the tempo of the game and created some scoring chances but shots from El-Said, Amr El Sulaya and Zakareya missed the target.
Mahlambi – who earned his first starting role tonight – came close from a dream debut when he picked a loose ball inside the area but his poor effort was blocked by the keeper to end the first half with a narrow lead.
Ahly continued on the front foot after the interval and Zakareya – unmarked in the box -powered a header just over the bar.
With the clock ticking up, Dakhleya moved up seeking the equalizer but had trouble grinding out clear chance against a well organised defense.
With Ahly finding spaces at the back, they looked very dangerous on the counters and tested Dakhleya keeper Mahmoud El-Gharabawi who made several saves including a brilliant stretch to deny another Zakareya's header from close range.
Defender Saad Samir slotted home from close range in the 86th minute after a fine cross from Zakareya to secure the full points of the game.
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