Percy Tau’s Al Ahly booked a semifinal spot in the CAF Champions League after holding Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca to a goalless draw [2-0 aggregate win].
Ahly had won the first leg 2-0 in Cairo, ending Raja’s nine-match unbeaten run in the competition.
Going into the tie, the Casablanca outfit had gone 10 matches without a loss at home in the prestigious competition.
While Raja managed to preserve that record, they were unable to overturn the first leg two goal deficit.
In the reverse fixture, at Mohammed V Stadium, Ahly put up a disciplined display to contain Raja.
The result means the two North African giants have met seven times in the Champions League since 2005.
Al Ahly are yet to taste defeat, recording four wins and three draws. Ahly have not had the best campaign this time around, only qualifying for the knockout stages on the last day.
They had to beat Sudan’s Al Hilal emphatically [3-0] on Match Day Six to get a Last 16 place alongside Mamelodi Sundowns, who finished as leaders in their Group.
Nonetheless, the Egyptian giants waxed strong in the two legs of their encounter against the Moroccans.
Tau, who has established himself as a key player under Swiss mentor Marcel Koller, started both matches.
Ahly were difficult to breakdown as they were too organised for their opponents. Raja enjoyed a lot of possession, taking 10 shots, with only two on target.
The Moroccans were unlucky on the day, even failing to convert a penalty during the game.
Meanwhile, Sundowns’ chase for a second star remained on course as they trounced Algeria’s CR Belouizdad 6-2 on aggregate. This was after a 2-1 win over the Algerians at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday.
The 2016 African champions set up a mouthwatering semi-final date against defending champions Wydad Athletic Club. Wydad progressed to the last four at the expense of Tanzania’s Simba after a 4-3 win on post-match penalties.
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