Al Ahly sealed their passage to the semi-finals of the 2024–2025 CAF Champions League on Tuesday night, defeating Al Hilal Omdurman 1-0 in the second leg of their quarter-final tie to complete a 2-0 aggregate victory.
The reigning African champions travelled to Mauritania for the return fixture, having claimed a narrow first-leg win in Cairo.
In a tense contest at the capital’s stadium, the Red Devils weathered early pressure before securing a late winner to book their place in the final four.
The breakthrough arrived in the 80th minute when Emam Ashour, one of Al Ahly’s standout performers this season, latched onto a well-placed assist from Taher Mohamed Taher.
The midfielder kept his composure to slot past the goalkeeper, giving the visitors a vital goal and effectively ending Al Hilal’s hopes of a comeback.
Ashour’s goal proved to be the defining moment in an otherwise closely fought encounter.
Al Hilal, needing at least a goal to draw level on aggregate, started brightly and enjoyed significant possession throughout the opening half.
However, they struggled to turn that pressure into clear-cut opportunities.
Al Ahly, under the guidance of Swiss coach Marcel Koller, showed their trademark discipline and patience.
Despite being kept quiet for large portions of the game, they capitalised when it mattered most.
Their defence, marshalled by a solid backline, stood firm to preserve the clean sheet and secure their ninth consecutive semi-final appearance in the competition.
The aggregate scoreline of 2-0 reflects Al Ahly’s efficiency over the two legs.
They now await the outcome of the remaining quarter-final ties to discover their opponent in the semi-finals, with their eyes firmly set on capturing yet another continental title.
With Tuesday’s victory, Al Ahly continue their dominance in African club football, reaffirming their status as one of the continent’s most decorated and consistent sides.
