ACCRA: Record six-times African champions Al Ahly, despite the problems assailing the club and Egypt’s football, have reached the last four of the African Champions League.

Al Ahly, whose players had to run for their lives during the crowd disaster in Port Said early this year, progressed despite being held 1-1 away Berekum Chelsea of Ghana. The draw ended Al Ahly’s 100pc record in the group.

New signing Oussou Konan from Ivory Coast put the Cairo club ahead four minutes before half-time in Accra after star midfielder Mohamed Aboutrika headed a cross against the post. Jordan Opoku equalised six minutes after the break.

Al Ahly had thrashed surprise qualifiers Chelsea 4-1 in Egypt two weeks ago and also defeated TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zamalek of Egypt to establish a clear lead.

The draw in Ghana lifted Ahly to 10 points, while 2010 Club World Cup runners-up Mazembe moved into second spot with seven points after a 2-1 win over Zamalek in Cairo. Chelsea have five points and Zamalek none after four consecutive losses.

The winners of the CAF Champions League contest the Club World Cup in Japan in December along with the champions of the other regional confederations, including England’s Chelsea.

 

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