Ahly open CAF Champions League campaign with 1-0 win over Aigle Noir in Burundi

Mahmoud Elassal , Saturday 18 Oct 2025

Ahly began their CAF Champions League campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Burundi’s Aigle Noir in the first leg of their Round of 32 tie at Inwari Stadium in Bujumbura on Saturday.

Ahly

 

The Red Devils took the lead nine minutes before halftime through an own goal.

Right-back Mohamed Hani delivered a powerful cross from inside the box, which Aigle Noir defender Nicolas inadvertently deflected into his own net.

Despite playing away, Ahly dominated the match from the outset, pressing Aigle Noir relentlessly.

New head coach Jess Thorup made no significant changes to the lineup, but the players seemed energized, with a newfound intensity to maintain pressure throughout the match.

Thorup was forced to make an early change at halftime after Mohamed Sherif sustained a muscle injury just before the break. Sherif was replaced by Nejc Gradisar.

Aigle Noir began the second half with more possession and a stronger presence in midfield, but failed to create any significant threats on Ahly’s defence.

In a tactical shift, Thorup made a series of changes with 15 minutes remaining, bringing on Aliou Dieng, Mohamed 'Afsha' Magdi, Taher Mohamed, and Ahmed Abdel-Kader.

The substitutions helped Ahly regain control, but Abdel-Kader’s effort, following a cross from the left wing, was blocked by Aigle Noir's defence.

The hosts pushed for an equalizer in the final minutes, but Ahly’s solid defence held firm, sealing a 1-0 win in the first leg.

The return leg will take place in Cairo on Saturday, 25 October.

Ahly’s next domestic fixture will be against Ittihad of Alexandria in the 11th matchday of the Egyptian Premier League.

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