Al-Ahly took a major step towards the 2018 CAF Champions League final after securing a 2-0 victory over ES Setif in their semi-final first leg on Tuesday, while Primeiro de Agosto defeated Esperance de Tunis 1-0.
Walid Soliman and Islam Mohareb netted first-half goals as Ahly took a commanding lead in front of their own fans at the Al-Salam Stadium, Cairo.
The Egyptian giants, who are in the hunt for a record-extending ninth Champions League crown, took the lead on 23 minutes when Soliman headed home Ahmed Hamoudi’s fine cross.
They then extended their advantage four minutes before the break as Mohareb capitalised on an uncharacteristic defensive mix-up to fire home.
Soliman had been the star man as they dispatched Horoya 4-0 on aggregate in the quarter final, while ES Setif had progressed after eliminating reigning champions Wydad Casablanca.
In the other semi final, Angola’s Primeiro de Agosto continued their magnificent run in this year’s competition with a narrow victory over Esperance, with Bua netting the sole goal late on.
The substitute broke the deadlock 10 minutes from time when he fired home a thunderous effort, with the visitors left ruing a match-up in which they only began taking the game to their opponents during the latter stages of the clash.
Esperance lost defender Khalil Chemman to an injury-card sending off, and he represents a considerable loss for the second leg.
Agosto are already in unchartered territory in Africa’s premier club competition, but after delivering an exceptional defensive display to eliminate much fancied Tout Puissant Mazembe in the previous round, they’ll be confident of getting over the line in the return leg in Rades.
Both second legs will take place on October 23.