A brace from Jesse Were has helped Zambian champions Zesco United earn a point to go on top of group A on 8 points.
Zesco showed intent right from the starting XI named on the day with George Lwandamina naming strikers Jackson Mwanza and Were in attack.
The two combined in the 6th minute when Mwanza received a ball from Kondwani Mtonga on the right side of attack and he did not hesitate to send a cross in the box which Were headed past the Ahly keeper.
Ahly then scrumbled the ball past the goal line in the 31st minute for the equalizer but Zesco responded almost immediately with another goal from Were 4 minutes later.
The lanky Kenyan international picked the ball as he ran into the box on the right and beat his defender to shoot past the keeper.
Ahly came back in the second half and literally camped in the Zesco half with the George Lwadamina coached side reduced to rare counter attacks going forward.
The Egyptian giants were relentless in attack and the pressure paid off in the 85th minute when a cross in the box saw an over head kick deflect off David Odhiambo to side foot Jacob Banda.
There was some desperate defending for Zesco in the closing minutes but the Ndola based side held on for a famous point which puts them in a strong position to qualify to the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League.
Zesco will be hoping for Wydad Casablanca result tomorrow over Asec Mimosa as even a draw could confirm their place in the semi finals.
A win for Asec Mimosa will mean Zesco will have to earn a good result against Wydad Casablanca in Ndola to confirm their qualification.
Wydad are second on 7 points, Ahly on 5 points with Asec on 4 points.
Zesco XI v Al Ahly
Jacob Banda, Simon Silwimba, Ayo Oluwafemi, Ben Bahn, David Odhiambo, Misheck Chaila, Kondwani Mtonga (Anthony Agay), Clatous Chama, John Chingandu (Idriss Mbombo), Jackson Mwanza, Jesse Were (Dauti Musekwa)
Good result for Zesco we are behind you as a country.
Good result we shall wrap it up in ZimaNdola cm aug 23.#AlAhlyKuwayawayafye
….Nomba we concede too many goals which wil b dangerous in semis. Ba chicken shud work on it otherwize ifintu ni Zesco.
Finally we do the double over an Egyptian side. Good job ZESCO!!!!!
That’s wy us suporters we need to pray hard so ths team mwand kuti ya yafikako ku ma final zesco naya naya
Conceding too many goals
This zesco is playing real Zambian football if only they can inject some pace I feel they are too slow and also should find a creative midfielder
Am Proud Of Zesco
I understand that if wydad beat Asec tommorow, then Zesco and Wydad go through, regardless of the final match games on August 23. Is this true? may someone clarify please…
A draw or a win by Wydad and they go through together with ZESCO. SO far so good for ZESCO.
It will be interesting to see zesco united face sundown of south africa.zesco united can reach the finals they have a good combination of locals and some forgners
Well done Zesco
Tulamyeba football in Zambia is made in the copper belt. Not Zanaco they are a serious let down when allowed to play continental football.
congrat ba zega mambo zesco 4lif
Why is Zamfoot’s article suggesting that Zamfoot has not qualified? What is the criteria in place for qualification to the group stages in case of a tie on points in this competition?
Thumbs up.You are champs.
Zesco weutusebulule nsoni.
Zesco will qualify if Arabs beat asec because on head with Egyptian side ZEGA is better even if zesco lose the last game better still the later can only attain eight points at max
Go Zesco Show Them That Even Us Zambians Can Do It
Gud news,Zesco has qualified to th Semis fo th first time.Wydad won their match against Asec.Its an automatic qualification nw fo us,regardles of th result in th final game.
For doing to the Egyptians what they have been doing to us for decades- THANK YOU!!
ZESCO. your performances have been ELECTRIC, please continue to SHOCK us…!!!!!
I would still fancy a Zega / Sundowns final. That would surely be a Southern African high note in club football. I hope Zega win the last game against Wydad so that they top the group and not meet Sundowns in the semi final. It would be a bit of Southern African football to play Sundowns in the final.