Despite tying Al-Hilal in the group at 10 points with tonight’s victory, Al-Ahly advanced to the quarterfinals thanks to a better head-to-head record since they only lost 1-0 in the away game.

Ahly finish second in Group B, behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, who collected 14 points from their six games.

At Cairo International Stadium, which was nearly-packed in a continental engagement for an Egyptian side for the first time in over a decade, Ahly pressed the Sudanese guests from the get-go.

Amr El-Sulaya had an unmarked chance in the area but volleyed the ball over the bar. 

Kahraba then came close to scoring twice but missed the target.

But finally, in the 25th minute, Kahraba, succeeded in finding the net on his third attempt.

He collected a long pass from Ahmed Abdel-Kader brilliantly, skipping past the last defender in the same move, before scoring a sensation to put Ahly ahead.

Taking advantage of Ahly reversion to caution after the goal, Al-Hilal pressed forward to equalise.

Fabrice Ngoma and Mohamed Abdel-Rahman found scoring chances but lacked precision in the final touch.

Meanwhile, Ahly remained dangerous on the counter.

Afsha and Percy Tau could have extended the team’s lead but Al-Hilal keeper found little trouble foiling all attempts.

Ahly too much for Al-Hilal

The Sudanese side attacked en masse coming off the interval and created serious trouble for Ahly's defence.

Lilepo Makabi and Yasir Mozamil were prominent on both flanks and sent numerous crosses inside the box.

However, none of the Sudanese strikers could beat an alert keeper Mohamed El-Shennawy.

Marwan Atteya, Ahly's best performer during the game, could have been rewarded for his dominant display in midfield, but his long-range shot in the 54th minute was rejected by the post.

Sensing some fatigue and disarray among his players, coach Marcel Koller made two substitutes to help his team regain its composure, bringing in Hamdy Fathy and Hussein El-Shahat.

In the 63rd minute, two minutes after entering the pitch, El-Shahat proved his coach right when he raced past three defenders to intercept Tau's neat pass and score the second from inside the box.

Again, in the 83rd minute, El-Shahat secured the three points and qualification to the quarterfinals after intercepting another precise long pass from Atteya to dribble past his marker and beat the keeper from close range.

The CAF Champions League quarterfinals draw will be held on 5 April.

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