Percy Tau’s Al Ahly storm into CAF Champions league final
Percy Tau’s Al Ahly booked their place in the 2023/24 CAF Champions League final after beating TP Mazembe 3-0 in the second leg of the semi-finals.
They will face ES Tunis, who beat Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 on aggregate in the other semi-final. Al Ahly came into this one as the favourites to go all the way and retain their continental crown.
The Cairo giants did well to leave the first-leg with a draw in Lubumbashi despite being outplayed for most of the game.
In this one, Percy Tau was drafted into the first team as they returned to the familiarities of home comfort. However, TP Mazembe held their own in the first-half, thwarting all their threats as they remained deadlocked at half-time.
The Ravens returned from the break with so much impetus, and they had a goal disallowed after a VAR review. Joel Beya had cracked the Egyptian giants’ defence line on the 58th-minute mark. Sadly, they were punished ten minutes later after failing to clear their lines from a corner kick.
Mohamed Abdelmonem broke the deadlock in the 68th minute when he headed the ball home from Amr El Solia’s corner-kick.
Wessam Abou Ali doubled their score in the 83rd minute, putting the match well beyond TP Mazembe. Tawfik Akram scored third in the referees’ optional time to cap off the impressive performance.
PERCY TAU’S AL AHLY RIDING ON A IMPRESSIVE CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RECORD
Al Ahly are unbeaten in 20 CAF Champions League games. Moreso, they have won seven of their last seven home games across all competitions.
In the first-leg, Tau started the match on the bench after he recovered from a leg injury. He had been on the sidelines, missing four matches for the Reds across all competitions.
This season, the ‘Lion of Judah’, has made 25 appearances in all competitions. He has found the back of the net six times. Tau has scored one goal in the Champions League where he has featured in nine matches.
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