CAF CL semis: Ahly reaches an incredible feat  with huge win over TP Mazembe

Al Ahly struck three late goals against TP Mazembe on Friday evening to qualify for the CAF Champions League final, for an incredible 5th consecutive final.

After a goalless draw in the first leg in DR Congo last week, Al Ahly were looking to seal qualification on home soil.

Head coach Marcel Koller made just one change to his lineup starting Percy Tau in place of Reda Slim on the right-hand side.

The reigning champions were fired up right from the start and had multiple chances to score early goals but were denied by Mazembe goalkeeper Alioune Badara Faty.

Mazembe silenced the home crowd in the second half and thought they opened the scoring before controversy followed for an alleged handball in the build-up.

As a result, the referee was instructed by VAR officials have a look at the monitor and ultimately decided to chalk off Mazembe’s goal and bring back the scoreline on level terms around the hour mark.

Seven minutes later, the momentum shifted in Al Ahly’s favour when a corner delivery by Ali Maaloul found Mohamed Abdelmonem’s bullet header that gave the hosts a crucial lead in the tie.

January signing Wessam Abou Ali later sealed the deal for Al Ahly and doubled their advantage in the 83rd minute before Akram Tawfik added a third in stoppage time.

Al Ahly are now set to meet Esperance de Tunis in the final after the latter defeated South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 on aggregate.

This will also mark the 17th CAF Champions League final in Al Ahly’s history having already won the competition on 11 occasions.