Al Ahly showed sterner pedigree harnessing a semi-finals showdown with Sundowns in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League by posting another win over Al Hilal in a 1-0 second-leg triumph at the Sheikh Bedia Stadium, Nouakchott, Tuesday sunset.

The first leg in Cairo ended by a similar scoreline, as the reigning champions again posted a commanding display in the reverse play to secure an emphatic 2-0 total win over the Blue Jewel.

The Red Devils’ midfielder Imam Ashour consistency again showed as he again scored the decisive goal this time in the 80th minute.

The victory paves the way for the Egyptians to their 21st Champions League semi-final appearance and a sensational sixth in a row at that–also setting the stage for a collision with usual adversaries Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa for a promising must-see clash.

Edgy opener in Nouakchott

The match in Nouakchott, Mauritania opened on a tender footing for both teams, but with a determined will to carry the day, as the combatants jousted for midfield sway. Swiss coach Marcel Koller, appeared the more inclined to enforce his football philosophy with his Egyptian team in the early minutes.

The Al Ahly press led to an unforced error by the home team in the 9th minute as the visitor’s Slovenian forward Nijk Gradishar latched onto a skewered pass to let fly a scorching shot but Ivorian goalkeeper Issa Fofana saved for the Blue Jewel.

A knock on Imam Ashour in an aerial fray soon showed that the home team had set their target on the man who had been instrumental to their first leg capitulation in Cairo.

However, the 30-year-old forward re-engineered promptly and remained troublesome all game long.

Al Ahly created a great opportunity in the 34th minute, but a low cross eluded both Gradishar and Wissam Abu Ali and went begging.

Ashour’s thunderous shot from distance minutes later was rebuffed by Fofana, while Al Hilal returned the favor just before half-time when a low cross into the box only coerced some level of agitation within the visitor’s box before being booted clear.

Ashour finds the target late to secure the victory

In the second half, The Blue Jewel surged forward with added vigor. Evidently, their clearest chance presented in the 64th minute with winger Ahmed Salem going through on a one-on-one with Mohamed El Shenawy, but was turned down by the rock-steady Egypt goalkeeper.

The African champions remained resilient and found the breakthrough ten minutes before game time was called.

Substitute Taher Mohamed Taher then plied in a well placed cross into the box, allowing Ashour to find the mark.

Al Ahly stood their ground despite home team’s closing forays and eight minutes of added time. But it was Ahmed Reda who came close to increasing the scoreline in injury time, but Fofana’s lightening-quick reaction kept the scoreline somewhat close.

Epic showdown with Sundowns awaits

The champions must now turn their focus to an epic semi-final showdown against Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, who in turn weathered the storm of Esperance de Tunis in their own testy quarter-final play.

The familiar foes have created a volatile rivalry in recent seasons, and their promising clash is set to draw continental eyes to their event again.