Al Ahly secured a 4-2 victory over Stade d'Abidjan in the CAF Champions League Group C match played at the Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday evening.
.gif)
The win saw the Egyptian champions start their defence of the continental title with a victory and they will travel to South Africa to take on Orlando Pirates in their second Group C match on 7 December.
The Ivorian champions, on the other hand, were left to lick their wounds after conceding four goals in Egypt and they will play host to Algerian side CR Belouizdad on 7 December in another Group C game.
A strong start to the Champions League group stage 💪🦅 pic.twitter.com/Np5fffzwbp
— Al Ahly SC 🇬🇧 (@AlAhlyEnglish) November 26, 2024
It took just 14 minutes for the hosts to break the deadlock as Mohamed Magdy set up Mahmoud Kahraba who netted to hand Al Ahly a 1-0 lead.
The provider then became the goalscorer when Magdy scored in the 21st minute to make it 2-0 to Al Ahly.
Kahraba, who was also a constant threat to the Abidjan defence, grabbed an assist when Hussein El Shahat netted in the 26th minute to make it 3-0 to Al Ahly.
However, the hosts went to sleep at the back on the hour-mark and they conceded when Kassoum Kone found the back of the net, and the score was 3-1 to Al Ahly at halftime.
First half stills 📸 pic.twitter.com/RBDhZH5GiL
— Al Ahly SC 🇬🇧 (@AlAhlyEnglish) November 26, 2024
Another entertaining half followed as Al Ahly restored their lead through Kahraba who was playing some of his best football on the night.
The former Zamalek attacker beat goalkeeper Drissa Bamba to make it 4-1 to Al Ahly in the 48th minute - grabbing his brace in the process.
However, Abidjan continued to launch attacks after conceding for the fourth time on the night.
Roger Assale reduced the deficit when he netted in the 55th minute with Mohamed Niampa providing the assist, but Al Ahly held on to secure a 4-2 victory over Abidjan.
First three points secured ✅🔒 pic.twitter.com/FX9zMMa13S
— Al Ahly SC 🇬🇧 (@AlAhlyEnglish) November 26, 2024
Al Ahly (3) 4 (Kahraba 14', 48', Magdy 21', El Shahat 26')
Stade (1) 2 (Kone 30', Assale 55')
Ahly: Mohamed El Shenawy - Khaled Abdel Fattah, Yasser Ibrahim, Rami Rabia, Yahia Attiat Allah (El Debes 83')- Marwan Attia, Akram Tawfik (El Saeey 83'), Mohamed “Afsha” Magdy (Koka 76') - Hussein El Shahat (Slim 75'), Taher Mohamed Taher, Mahmoud “Kahraba” Abdel-Moneim (Tau 76').
Stade d’Abidjan: Drissa Bamba - Adama Ardile Traoré, Seydou Touré, Yann Zébré, Mohamed Niampa (Koanda 78'), Saint-Jean Koré (Moukoro 77'), Ben Kouyaté (Kouakou 79'), Essis Beaudeleire Aka, Babacar Guèye, Roger Assalé, Kassoum Koné