Al Ahly Join Sundowns, Pirates And Pyramids As Winners

CAF Champions League title holders Al Ahly joined Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Pyramids FC as winners in the first-leg quarterfinal matches played across the continent on Tuesday.

The Red Eagles secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Al Hilal at the Cairo International Stadium thanks to Mohamed Hanys early strike putting to bed some rocky recent form to underline their status as perennial favourites for Africas premier club competition.

The only away win of the day came at the 5 July 1962 Stadium in Algiers, as South Africas Orlando Pirates defeated MC Alger 1-0, courtesy of a goal midway through the second half from rising star Mohau Nkota.

The biggest winning margin in the first legs was secured by Pyramids FC, who thumped ASFAR 4-1 at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo to put one foot in the final four.

The Egyptian hosts boasted a brace apiece by Fiston Mayele and Ibrahim Adel, while the Moroccan visitors have a slight foothold in the tie thanks to Abdelfettah Hadrafs away goal.