African Champions League: Ahly, Wydad, Esperance and Kaizer Chiefs reach semi-finals
- Published
Al Ahly's South African coach Pitso Mosimane was previously the coach of Mamelodi Sundowns
Al Ahly of Egypt booked a place in the African Champions League semi-finals on Saturday with a 1-1 draw at Mamelodi Sundowns, as South Africa's Kazier Chiefs, Tunisia's Esperance and Wydad Casablanca also progressed.
Al Ahly's 3-1 aggregate quarter-final win over Mamelodi Sundowns made it a triumphant return to South Africa for Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane against his former club.
Yasser Ibrahim opened the scoring for Ahly in the 11th minute to extend their 2-0 advantage from the first leg.
Mosa Lebusa made it 1-1 on the half hour mark but Sundowns failed to add to the tally as the reigning champions advanced.
Mosimane's Ahly will continue their quest for a 10th Champions League crown against Esperance in the semi-finals.
The Tunisians will host Ahly in a repeat of the 2018 final on 18 or 19 June with the return match the following weekend.
Comebacks
Esperance, who lost the first leg of their quarter-final 2-0 away to Algeria's Chabab Belouizdad, produced a memorable fightback on Saturday to win on penalties.
Abdelraouf Benguit pulled one goal back for the Tunisians in the 68th minute.
A dramatic equaliser from Mohamed Ben Romdhane three minutes from time took the tie to spot-kicks with Esperance winning the shootout 3-2.
In Tanzania, South Africa's Kaizer Chiefs survived a late fightback by Simba to progress to the semi-finals of Africa's elite club competition for the first time in their history.
Simba began the quarter-final 4-0 down from the first leg but a brace from Simba's John Bocca in front of their home fans gave the Tanzanians hope.
When Cletus Chama scored in the 86th minute to make it 3-4 to Simba, Kaizer Chiefs were hoping history was not about to repeat itself.
42 years ago, Simba staged the greatest Champions League comeback, winning 5-0 at Mufulira Wanderers of Zambia after losing 4-0 at home.
The current team were on the verge of another miracle but the South Africans held on to earn a semi-final place against Wydad Casablanca who will host the first leg in Morocco next month.
A goal from Walid el Karti was enough to give Wydad a 1-0 win over Algeria's MC Alger and progress 2-1 overall.
Champions League quarter-final second leg results:
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) 1-1 Al Ahly (Egypt) Al Ahly win 3-1 on aggregate
Simba (Tanzania) 3-0 Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa) Kaizer Chiefs win 4-3 on aggregate
Esperance (Tunisia) 2-0 CR Belouizdad (Algeria) Esperance win 3-2 on penalties after tie ends 2-2 on aggregate
Wydad Casablanca (Morocco) 1-0 MC Alger (Algeria) Wydad win 2-1 on aggregate