Ahly's clash against Cameroon's Coton Sport in the first leg of the African Champions League semi-final was called off midway through the second half on Saturday due to bad weather conditions in Garoua.

The rain-soaked pitch was rendered unplayable by Zambian referee Jan Sikazwe after heavy water poured down on it after the break.

According to CAF's Champions League regulations, the match will be replayed on Sunday.

Article 7 of the competition regulations states that: "If the match is stopped before the end of the regular time for reasons of force majeure and notably for poor ground conditions and or bad weather conditions to be decided upon by the referee, the match is to be replayed 24 hours later at the same venue and with the same referees."

Ahly's players and technical staff members appeared frustrated with Sikazwe's decision to postpone the match, given that they had the upper hand before the game was halted.

The visitors created a couple of goal-scoring opportunities in the first half, with Coton keeper parrying two close-range headers from Mohamed Abou-Treika and Abdallah El-Said.

With Ahly having the lion's share of representatives in Egypt's squad, the match's delay may affect the Pharaohs' preparations for the crucial World Cup qualifying playoff against Ghana in Kumasi on 15 October.

Ahly's Egyptian internationals were due to link up with the national team on Sunday.

The Red Devils will host Coton Sport in the second leg on 20 October.

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