A defensively-organised Ahly side held on to come up with a goalless draw against South Africa’s Bidvest Wits away from home to qualify for the CAF Champions League group stage with an aggregate 1-0 victory.
Going into the round of 32 return leg at BidVest Stadium in Johannesburg with an uncomfortable 1-0 lead from home, Hossam El-Badry’s men managed to keep their opponents at bay for the majority of the game.
The Egyptians had to endure some nervy moments at the end of each half, but were unlucky to see a one-on-one Amr Gamal denied by the woodwork just three minutes from time.
Ahly set out their stall to give their opponents’ backline possession from the outset, but the hosts struggled to create clear-cut chances, thanks to the Reds’ organisation without the ball.
Lone striker Amr Gamal had an early penalty shout which was turned down by the referee, but apart from that Ahly did not provide much in the attacking third throughout the first half.
Bidvest, on the other hand, could have scored on the stroke of half-time when Nazeer Allie’s header was brilliantly blocked by keeper Sherif Ekramy before forward Gabadinho Mhango missed from point-blank range.
Bidvest looked to have been energized after the break, further piling up the pressure in search of a much-needed goal.
The South Africans, however, failed to carve out gilt-edged opportunities with keeper Ekramy vigilant to deny substitute Eleazar Rodgers’ header,
Ahly, meanwhile, came so close to scoring in the second half when a through-on-goal Gamal was unlucky to see a sliding effort hit the post just three minutes from time.
The eight-time African champions had to endure some nervy moments in stoppage time as Bidvest increased the pressure, but eventually managed to keep a clean sheet and qualify for the last-16.
Source: Ahram online
