Moghreb Tétouan players fights for the ball against Al- Ahly players (Photo: Al-Ahram)
Ahly football director Wael Gomaa defended players and technical staff despite his team being threatened with a last-16 elimination for the second successive year, following a 1-0 away defeat by Moghreb Tetouan.
"Carlos Garrido [the manager] delivered a brilliant tactical vision enabling Ahly to control the whole 90 minutes but the last minute goal from a free kick was just bad luck," Gomaa told the club's official website.
Mouhcine Iajour, 29, fired a free-kick past a poorly-positioned wall to spark wild celebrations at the small Saniat Rmel Stadium in Tetouan.
"We trust that our players can win in Cairo," added Gomaa, hoping the crowd would support them in their bid.
From his side, goalkeeping coach Tarek Soliman defended keeper Sherif Ekrami.
"Ekrami is not to pay for the goal. He was well-positioned but the ball curved after hitting the wall. Ahly had the upper hand but wasn't lucky. That's all," Soliman expressed.
Defender Sherif Hazem echoed Gomaa and Soliman, asserting that the team is capable of winning at home.
"The Tetouan attack wasn't what we excepted. Though Ahly dominated and can win the second leg," Hazem said. "I apologies to the fans for the foul that ended with a goal for the opponents. I did my best and I promise the same in the Cairo game," he added.
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