Al Ahly Prevails Abroad: Fatigue Won’t Slow the Red Devils as They Kick-Start a Bold Run

Match outcome and context

Al Ahly earned a valuable 1-0 away win against Eagle Nowar Burundi in the first leg of the CAF Champions League’s round of 32. The defining moment arrived in the 36th minute when Nicolas, a Burundian defender, inadvertently deflected Mohamed Hany’s cross into his own net, giving the visitors the lead they would defend under challenging conditions. This result puts Al Ahly in a favorable position ahead of the Cairo return.

The victory came in difficult weather and a demanding schedule, as Al Ahly’s new technical staff, led by Jes Thorup, began their tenure with a positive result on foreign soil. Walid Salah Eldin, the club’s director of football, praised the players and fans for delivering a deserved win and noted that the result reflects the team’s seriousness and early harmony with the new coaching setup.

Thorup acknowledged a solid first half with several chances, but suggested the team lost some momentum after halftime, giving the hosts opportunities to threaten. He emphasized that modern football rarely yields easy fixtures and stressed the need for continued focus as they push to advance to the group stage.

The manager also pointed out that the upcoming period will be busy with league duty, CAF competition, and the Egyptian Super Cup, yet the priority remains clear: concentrate on the next match, as every game has its own stakes. The mood in the camp was one of cautious optimism, anchored in a belief that the team’s character and depth will carry them forward.

Yassin Marei, a defender who joined from Pharco, expressed happiness with the win, noting it was achieved at a crucial time and would boost confidence for the continental push. He highlighted the team’s focus and resilience, even under hot and difficult playing conditions, as key to safeguarding the clean sheet and paving the way for a favorable return leg in Cairo.

Thorup likewise praised Burundi’s hospitality and the vibrant atmosphere in the stadium, saying it contributed positively to the match and underscored the importance of this start as the club navigates a tight schedule while aiming for silverware this season.

Punchline 1: If fatigue had a goalkeeper, it would have been benched at halftime—Al Ahly kept scoring anyway.

Punchline 2: The schedule is tight, but so are Al Ahly’s legs—they just kept sprinting.