Ahly avoided a tricky semi-final clash against title holders Esperance in the African Champions League after sharing honours with arch-rivals Zamalek in a 1-1 Cairo derby draw on Sunday.

A depleted Ahly side, missing several key players, trailed to a first-half goal from Zamalek’s diminutive playmaker Mohamed Ibrahim but substitute Mohamed Barakat secured a share of spoils with a 62nd-minute strike.

Zamalek, who last beat Ahly in an Egyptian Premier League game in 2007, extended their Cairo derby winless streak to 14 matches.

Ahly, the record holders of Africa’s premier club competition with six titles under their belt, are on top of Group B with 11 points, one ahead of second-placed TP Mazembe of the DR Congo who lost 1-0 to Ghana’s Berekum Chelsea in the other group game.

The Red Devils will face Nigeria’s Sunshine Stars in the semis while Mazembe will take on defending champions Esperance.

Ahly missed the likes of defenders Wael Gomaa and Ahmed Fathi and defensive midfielder Hossam Ashour as coach Hossam El-Badry opted to rely on some youth and fringe players, including winger Ahmed Shokry who spent last season on loan at Bani Suef Telephones.

Zamalek had the upper hand in terms of possession in a dull first-half as chances were few and far between. However, the sluggishness of lone striker Ahmed Gaafar prevented them from creating some goal-scoring opportunities.

Mohamed Ibrahim unsettled Ahly’s backline with his pace and skilful moves down the left flank and his efforts paid dividends two minutes before the break.

Ibrahim superbly cut inside Ahly defenders Ahmed Sedik, who replaced injured right-back Sherif Abdel-Fadil in the first half, and Saad Samir to send a low shot into the bottom corner of the net from inside the area.

Zamalek wasted two efforts to double their advantage early in the second half, Cameroonian midfielder Alexis Mendomo forcing a superb save from keeper Sherif Ekrami and veteran midfielder Ahmed Hassan  sending a weak effort into the keeper’s hands with the goal at his mercy.

They were punished when Barakat, who came on instead of the ineffective Shokry, brought Ahly level in the 62nd minute.

His initial shot following a corner was blocked by a defender but he made no mistake on the second attempt, his fierce drive going in off the bar from inside the area.

Zamalek were unlucky not to secure all three points after squandering some clear-cut chances, including a curling free kick from central defender Mahmoud Fathallah that was superbly tipped onto the post by Ekrami.

Ahly were also dangerous on the break in the dying minutes but a draw was enough for them to finish atop of their group.

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