Dieng atones as Al Ahly hold Young Africans to stay top of Group B

ZANZIBAR, Tanzania 

Al Ahly maintained their grip on the top of Group B of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League after holding Tanzania’s Young Africans to a 1–1 draw in a tense Matchday 4 encounter on Saturday.

The Egyptian giants were forced to come from behind at the Amani Stadium on Saturday evening, with Aliou Dieng redeeming an earlier defensive lapse to secure a point that keeps Al Ahly three clear at the summit with two rounds remaining.

Young Africans struck first on the stroke of half-time, capitalising on rare confusion in the Al Ahly back line. A low delivery into the penalty area was not dealt with, allowing Ibrahim Hamad to pounce and steer the ball past Mostafa Shobeir in first-half stoppage time, sparking loud celebrations among the home supporters.

That breakthrough capped a disciplined opening period from the Tanzanian side, who absorbed long spells of Al Ahly possession and threatened on the break.

Shobeir had already been called into action earlier in the half, denying Okello and reacting sharply to crosses that tested Ahly’s defensive shape.

Al Ahly, who had beaten Young Africans 2–0 in the reverse fixture in Alexandria a week earlier, emerged with greater urgency after the interval. Their pressure finally told just after the hour mark from a set piece.

Ahmed Mustafa “Zizo” delivered a corner into the heart of the area, where Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet helped the ball into the path of Dieng, who drove a powerful finish beyond Djigui Diarra to make amends for his earlier mistake.

The equaliser shifted the momentum, with the visitors enjoying their best spell of the match. Trezeguet forced another save from Diarra moments earlier, while Al Ahly’s bench responded by introducing fresh legs in search of a winning goal.

Young Africans, however, remained dangerous. Nzingli went close with a late header that flashed wide, while the hosts continued to push numbers forward, buoyed by the energy of the crowd and the belief that a famous home victory was within reach.

In the closing stages, both sides showed caution, aware of the significance of the result in a finely balanced group. The final whistle confirmed a share of the spoils that suited Al Ahly more than their hosts.

The draw lifts Al Ahly to eight points at the top of Group B, preserving their unbeaten record and keeping qualification firmly in their hands. 

Young Africans move to five points in second place, still well positioned in the race for the quarter-finals ahead of back-to-back fixtures against FAR Rabat.