Defending champions Al Ahly of Egypt remain on course to retain their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League title after beating Esperance by a solitary goal in the first leg of their semi-final duel played in Tunis on Saturday.
Mohamed Sherif scored the lone goal for the Red Devils in the 66th minute to hand them a vital win away from home and set up a slight advantage heading into next weekend’s return leg in Cairo.
In a tightly contested encounter, chances were limited especially in the opening half when the two teams sized each other up in tactical battles.
Ahly thought they had the lead after half an hour when Sherif tapped the ball home after the keeper spilled a shot from Hamdy Fathy, but his goal was ruled out for offside.
Four minutes later, the home side had a good chance when Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane danced past his marker inside the box, but AHly keeper Mohamed Elshenawy tapped the ball away from his feet as he tried to tik-tok past him.
Ahly should have been ahead eight minutes after the restart, but Mohamed Taher could not tap the ball into the net unmarked at the backpost when a cross was swung in from the right.
But Ahly finally got into the lead in the 66th minute when Sherif tapped home on the second bite of the cherry after his initial tap past the keeper came off the post off a beautiful through pas from Aliou Dieng.
The home side tried to get their way back into the game, but Ahly saw off the game to set up an advantage heading to the return leg.
Discover more from Sbk Sports Mail
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Finance Trust Bank FUFA WSL 2026/2027 Fixtures.
FWSL - MATCH DAY 1 FIXTURE
 
(1)
3 - 02026/2027
Kawempe Muslims LFC vs Jinja United WFC |
 
(1)
0 - 12026/2027
She Corporate FC vs St.Noa Girls Zana FC |
 
(1)
0 - 32026/2027
URA Ladies FC vs KCCA WFC |
 
(1)
1 - 02026/2027
Makerere University vs Amus College WFC |
 
(1)
0 - 12026/2027
LADY DOVES FC vs Uganda Martyrs LWFC |
 
(1)
0 - 32026/2027
Rines SS WFC vs She Maroons FC |
AROUND THE SPORTING WORLD
- Achomo, Mukulu Rally Seeta High to Keep Women’s Finals Alive
Facing the prospect of falling 3-0 behind in the best-of-five series, Seeta produced a determined late fightback to secure their first win of the finals. Kampala University had entered Game Three with victories of 48-43 and 53-47 in the opening two games, hoping to move closer to the championship, but Seeta refused to let the series slip away. - Omara Inspires Watoto Men to 2-1 Finals Lead as Seeta Revive Title Hopes
Both series resume on Wednesday, with Watoto seeking the victory that would put them on the brink of the men’s title and Seeta aiming to draw level in the women’s competition. - Kawempe Overcome Uganda Martyrs to Seize League Summit
Football rewards teams that seize their opportunities, and Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC made theirs count to claim a 2-1 victory over Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, on Sunday. - Uganda Martyrs Face Kawempe Test with Top Spot at Stake | Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Super League
The central contest is likely to be between Uganda Martyrs’ scoring threat and Kawempe’s unbeaten defence. With an average of 2.5 goals per game, the leaders have demonstrated their ability to make chances count. Kawempe, by contrast, have yet to concede, suggesting that their defensive organisation has been effective. The challenge for Uganda Martyrs is to find a way through without losing the attacking rhythm that has brought them six points. - KCCA Women Held by Makerere as Missed Chances Define Goalless Draw | Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Super League
The goalless draw was a story of opportunities missed and defensive interventions that mattered. KCCA had enough chances to win the match but could not find the finishing touch, while Makerere remained resilient and came within inches of claiming victory at the death.
