Over for two
Ismaili kept Egypt's hope alive in the African club competitions after Baladia and Ahli crashed out. Eric Asmougha reports on the good and bad news
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After beating Simba, Ismaili found themselves the only Egyptian squad left in African club football championships
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Egypt's CAF Champions League flag bearer Ismaili continued their impressive run by beating Simba of Tanzania 2-1. In the African Winners Cup, though, Baladia Al-Mehalla lost to Julius Berger of Nigeria 4-2 on aggregate after losing 3-1 in Abeokuta, while Ahli's goalless draw in Cairo gave Rangers of Nigeria -- who thrashed Ahli 4-0 in Enugu in the first leg -- the opportunity to precede to the next stage of the Confederation Cup.
Several chances were missed before Ismaili connected for the first goal in the 20th minute by Emad El-Nahas who headed in the second rebound from an attack led by Malian Traore.
Ismaili kept the pressure up for a second goal but Simba beat back all attempts, showing poise which was translated into a 53rd minute goal to level up.
Despite close-range misses by Ismaili, the visitors managed to control part of the half before falling victim to Mohamed Mohsen Abu Greisha's 70th minute second goal for Ismaili.
With the victory, Ismaili are now second in the CAF Champions League Group A with eight points. Enyimba of Nigeria sit at the top with nine points after a surprise 2-0 win over ASEC Mimosas in Abidjan.
Ismaili have two games remaining, one home match against ASEC before travelling to Nigeria for a showdown with Enyimba, which may likely decide who finishes first in the group.
In Abeokuta, Nigeria, Baladia was stopped from proceeding to the semi-finals of the African Winners Cup. Baladia, playing in Africa for the first time, needed an away draw in order to qualify. They failed in their objective but did get close. A 67th minute goal by Yasser Ali after two goals from Julius Berger turned the game round as the visitors struggled to get an equaliser.
Baladia's hopes were finally put to rest in the 86th minute when unmarked Endurance Idahor took advantage of a clumsy defence to head in a rebound which was not cleared despite the goalkeeper's first attempt to save.
Ahli was Egypt's second departure from the continental contest after being forced into a goalless draw by Rangers in Cairo on Sunday. The first leg in Nigeria ended 4-0 in favour of Rangers.
Changes in the line-up did not do the trick for Portuguese coach Antonio Oliviera in a match Ahli supporters were expecting not just to win but to tally enough goals to avenge their crushing loss and secure a semi-final berth.
For the first time in years, beleaguered goalkeeper Essam El-Hadari was benched in favour of Amir Abdel-Hamid who had never been tested in African competition. Hadi Khashaba, Khaled Bebo, Ahmed Salah and other regulars also stayed away in a major shake-up.
The attacking pair of Ahmed Bilal and Mohamed Fadl played their hearts out and were unlucky not to score. Ahli missed a flurry of chances in the first half but Rangers managed to withstand the onslaught.
Rangers, which missed only one opportunity, were able to win Cairo fans over due to their game work and show of confidence on the field.
Ahli supporters, already reeling from their club's two league losses in only their first three games, are demanding an explanation as to who is responsible for the club's drastic reduction in form.
