CAIRO – Al Ahly SC emphatically asserted its dominance on the continental stage with a staggering 6-1 victory over Algeria's CR Belouizdad during the third round of the group stage of the CAF Champions League. This decisive win not only showcased their offensive prowess but also reinstated their ambitions of defending the title they have won four times out of the last five years.
The match began with surprising momentum as Belouizdad's Ayman Mahious opened the scoring in the 21st minute, capitalizing on a mistake by Al Ahly’s goalkeeper, Mohamed El-Shennawy. This early setback, yet, ignited the so-called "Club of the Century" to respond fiercely.
Al Ahly drew level just before half-time, with standout player Wissam Abu Ali finding the back of the net during injury time of the first half, equalizing the score at 1-1. The second half then saw Abu Ali take charge, netting two more goals. The first was just minutes after the break, with his exquisite execution of a direct free kick at the 51-minute mark, and later he completed his hat-trick by scoring again at the 84-minute mark.
Hossam El-Shahat and Percy Tau also contributed to the scoreline, scoring the third and fifth goals at the 56th and 86th minute respectively. The final nail in the coffin was struck by Imam Ashour, who sealed the scoreboard at 6-1 with his goal during stoppage time, sending the fans at the Cairo International Stadium, who were reeling from recent disappointments, chanting and celebrating.
This overwhelming performance came as a necessary morale boost for Al Ahly fans who had been disappointed following the team’s failure to secure qualification for the intercontinental club championships after losing to Mexico’s Pachuca on penalties the previous week.
With this win, Al Ahly climbed to the pinnacle of Group C, amassing 7 points, two points clear of their closest rivals, South Africa’s Orlando Pirates. Meanwhile, Belouizdad's misfortunes continued as they were left floundering at the bottom of the group with just 3 points, only two points above the Ivorian side Stade Abidjan.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stages, intensifying the stakes as Al Ahly continues its campaign to secure its 13th CAF Champions League trophy. Coach Marcel Koller expressed satisfaction with his squad’s reaction after conceding the early goal. “We showed resilience and responded excellently,” he remarked post-match.
Meanwhile, the performance of Wissam Abu Ali was particularly celebrated, as he emerged not just as the hero of the match but also as the potential key player for Al Ahly's future challenges. His stunning display earned him praise from fans and sports analysts alike, who are hoping he can replicate this form consistently.
Looking forward, Al Ahly's next challenge will be the continued group stage matches, with their form now recalibrated for another formidable fight to reclaim the coveted continental title. The team’s upcoming encounters will certainly be ones to watch, as they strive to maintain their top position and secure their path to the knockout rounds.
