Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane admitted his side could have secured a bigger win than the 2-0 victory they recorded over Wydad in Casablanca, but said he is still a happy man after his side put one foot in the African Champions League final.

Two goals either side of the interval by Magdi Afsha and Ali Maaloul, the second from a penalty, gave Ahly a comfortable first-leg advantage in the semi-final clash, before they host Wydad in Cairo next week.

"It was a difficult game as Wydad was fighting to return to the game," Mosimane told the post-match news conference.

"We made the most of Wydad's defensive mistakes … we could have scored a third and fourth but I'm happy with the players' performance."

Little more than two weeks into Mosimane's new job and Ahly are starting to display flashes of a pretty brand of football. They also showed character in Casablanca, leaving Wydad struggling for openings.

Mosimane, who took over following the departure of Swiss Rene Weiler, paid tribute to in-form goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawi for saving a first-half penalty for Wydad, which would have put the hosts level.

"The penalty save gave us more confidence, and we seized the chance to score a second," he said.

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