Al Ahly secured a decisive 1-0 victory over Ceramica Cleopatra on Monday night, advancing to the final of the NBE Super Cup, Egypt’s premier championship for champions.
The lone goal of the match unfolded in the 90+4th minute, credited to Justus Arthur, a Ceramica player who inadvertently redirected the ball into his net.
This occurred after a spectacular individual effort by Imam Ashour, who deftly navigated the defense, struck the ball from inside the penalty area, saw it hit the post, rebound onto Arthur’s foot, and finally ripple the net.
With this result, Al Ahly secures a coveted spot in the final, poised to face Future FC in a clash scheduled for next Thursday.
Future FC secured their place by triumphing over Pyramids in the other semi-final, decided by a penalty shootout.
Al Ahly’s shining performance follows closely on the heels of their recent achievement, clinching the bronze medal in the FIFA Club World Cup held in Saudi Arabia.
Match Details:
The game commenced with a measured pace from both teams until the 5th minute when Tahir Mohamed Tahir attempted to deliver a cross, met by Karim Fouad’s powerful but off-target shot.
Al Ahly failed to capitalize on a defensive error by Ceramica as Karim Fouad unleashed a powerful shot in the 30th minute, narrowly missing the target.
In the 33rd minute, Swiss goalkeeper Marcel Koehler received medical attention after Al Ahly’s primary goalkeeper, Mohamed El Shenawy, sustained an injury and requested a substitution.
Mustafa Shobier stepped in as his replacement.
Imam Ashour’s cross in the 38th minute found Percy Tau, whose shot from inside the penalty area was expertly saved by Mohamed Bassam.
As the first half neared its end, Tahir Mohamed Tahir squandered a significant opportunity with a powerful but wayward shot that hit the crossbar.
At the start of the second half, Al Ahly displayed a renewed determination to score, but Ceramica’s defense remained vigilant.
In the 48th minute, Mohamed Tony’s powerful shot was denied by the crossbar, displaying Al Ahly’s continued offensive efforts.
Percy Tau attempted a forceful shot in the 53rd minute, skillfully blocked by Ceramica’s defense.
The game remained in a midfield deadlock until the 68th minute when Hussein El Shahat sent a cross to Karim Fouad, whose strong shot was thwarted by Mohamed Bassam’s brilliance.
In the 90+4th minute, Al Ahly secured the only goal of the match through a brilliant individual effort by Imam Ashour.
The ball struck the pole, rebounded onto Arthur’s foot, and found the back of the net.
The match concluded with a red card shown to Mohamed Ibrahim in the 90+6th minute due to dissent over the referee’s decisions, sealing Al Ahly’s triumph with a 1-0 victory.
