Ahly opened their Group B campaign with an emphatic 4-1 triumph over JS Kabylie at Cairo International Stadium. The hosts dictated the rhythm from the outset, circulating the ball confidently and carving out early chances.
Ahly opened their Group B campaign with an emphatic 4-1 triumph over JS Kabylie at Cairo International Stadium. The hosts dictated the rhythm from the outset, circulating the ball confidently and carving out early chances.
Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan provided the breakthrough in the 36th minute, meeting a Zizo corner with a precise header that gave the Red Devils the advantage. The pressure continued to mount, and just three minutes later Mohamed Sherif doubled the lead with a composed low finish after connecting with a cross from Achraf Bencharqi.
Ahly maintained momentum throughout the half, with Sherif having an earlier attempt ruled out for offside. Trezeguet and Zizo also threatened repeatedly, but the Algerian side held on to prevent further damage before the interval.
The Egyptians resumed the match with the same attacking intensity, forcing JS Kabylie goalkeeper Mohamed Idir Hadid into several important stops. Trezeguet was inches away from adding to the tally with a thunderous strike from a distance that rebounded off the crossbar.
A rare defensive lapse, however, allowed the visitors back into the contest. A miscommunication between goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy and defender Yasser Ibrahim gifted Hamza Mouali’s cross to Kabylie, resulting in a goal in the 57th minute. The momentary setback unsettled the home crowd but did not shift the overall balance.
Ahly coach Jess Thorup reacted by introducing Taher Mohamed Taher in the 64th minute to reinvigorate the forward line. The adjustment helped restore control, and soon after, Trezeguet struck again, restoring a two-goal cushion with a confident finish that calmed nerves around the stadium.
El-Shenawy endured further misfortune late on, leaving the pitch in the 79th minute due to muscle discomfort, with Mostafa Shobier stepping in. Moments later, Emam Ashour made his long-awaited comeback, replacing Zizo in the 80th minute after recovering from a lengthy spell out with hepatitis A.
Ashour immediately injected energy into midfield, testing the defense with a fierce drive from outside the area in stoppage time. The shot deflected off Taher and dropped kindly for Trezeguet, who hammered home his second and Ahly’s third.
The returning midfielder then added his own highlight, unleashing a stunning effort in added time to secure the fourth goal and cap Ahly’s commanding performance. The result places them top of the group on goal difference, ahead of Young Africans, who earlier defeated FAR Rabat 1-0.
Ahly now turn their attention to their upcoming meeting with FAR Rabat in the next round of group fixtures on Saturday.
