Egyptian giants Al Ahly asserted their dominance in Group D of the CAF Champions League, securing top spot with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Young Africans of Tanzania at Cairo Stadium.
The decisive moment came in the 46th minute when winger Hussein El-Shahat capitalized on a pinpoint pass from Ali Maaloul to net the game's only goal.
Despite having already secured qualification for the knockout stages, Al Ahly displayed their intent from the outset, controlling possession but struggling to convert their dominance into clear-cut chances against a determined Young Africans side.
Young Africans showed early determination, with midfielder Aziz Ki forcing a save from Al Ahly goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir in the eighth minute. However, the Egyptian defense held firm, denying any breakthrough opportunities.
In the 18th minute, Al Ahly thought they had taken the lead when Percy Tau slotted home from a Maaloul cross, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside, much to the disappointment of the home crowd.
Shobeir continued to impress between the posts, thwarting efforts from Young Africans' Pacome Zouzoua, ensuring that Al Ahly remained in control heading into halftime.
The breakthrough finally came early in the second half, as El-Shahat displayed composure to finish neatly after a defense-splitting pass from Maaloul, sending the home crowd into jubilation.
Young Africans fought valiantly to find an equalizer late in the game, with Shobeir once again showcasing his prowess with a crucial save to deny Kennedy Musonda's header.
As the game approached its conclusion, second-half substitute Emam Ashour came close to doubling Al Ahly's lead in stoppage time, but his effort was well saved by the Young Africans goalkeeper.
The victory sees Al Ahly finish the group stage unbeaten at the summit of the table with 12 points, marking their best performance since 2008. Additionally, they progress to the quarter-finals as group winners, a significant achievement for the Egyptian powerhouse, last accomplished in 2019.
On the other hand, Young Africans advance to the next round as runners-up with eight points, demonstrating their resilience and determination throughout the group stage. While they fell short against Al Ahly, their journey in the CAF Champions League continues, promising more thrilling encounters in the knockout stages.
