Al Ahly endured a painful night in Cairo, crashing to a 3–0 home defeat against Al Mokawloon Al Arab in the fourth round of Group A in the Egypt Capital Cup.
The loss leaves the defending African champions in real danger of missing out on the quarterfinals of the new competition.
With Danish coach Jess Thorup opting to field a youthful side after the team’s early Egypt Cup exit to Second Division outfit Telecom Egypt, Al Ahly struggled to cope with the visitors’ efficiency and physicality. Al Mokawloon went ahead on 20 minutes through a penalty converted by Mostafa Gamal, before Ugandan forward Joachim Ojera doubled the lead with a composed finish in the 41st minute.
Nigerian attacker Kalu Onyemachi then capped the upset with a brilliant third goal in the 65th minute, effectively ending any hopes of a late comeback.
The game also brought worrying news for Al Ahly fans as promising winger Hamza Abdelkarim had to go off injured in the 33rd minute.
The result leaves Al Ahly stuck on 3 points in sixth place, their chances of reaching the last eight severely reduced, while Al Mokawloon climb to 4 points and fourth position under coach Sami Qomsan.
