Al Ahly secure top spot in Group B with Trezeguet masterclass
Al Ahly moved to the summit of Group B in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League after Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet struck twice, sealing a 2-0 win over Tanzania’s Young Africans in Alexandria on Friday. The Egyptian giants capitalized on a decisive moment early in the second half, and Trezeguet’s clinical finishing ensured they took control of the group race.
The passion of the atmosphere at the Borg El Arab Stadium underscored the importance of this match for Al Ahly, who pressed from the opening whistle and created several chances before the interval. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 54th minute when Trezeguet latched onto a well-placed cross and slotted home with a composed finish.
Moments later, the forward struck again, asserting his status as the hero of the night. A second goal, late in the match, sealed the victory and left Young Africans with a mountain to climb to advance in the competition. The win not only provided Al Ahly with three valuable points but also reinforced their status as title contenders in Group B.
Al Ahly’s tactical approach was built on solid organization at the back and rapid transitions in attack. The hosts stayed compact when out of possession and trusted their ball carriers to exploit spaces behind the line. The Young Africans, for their part, pushed forward in search of an equalizer but found little space to operate against a disciplined home side.
Coach comments post-match hinted at how the team plans to manage the remainder of the group phase. While the result was decisive, the coaching staff stressed the importance of maintaining focus in the next fixtures and building on the system that yielded the two goals.
Al-Hilal fight back to deny Sundowns in a dramatic clash
In another Group B encounter, Al-Hilal staged a dramatic comeback to beat Mamelodi Sundowns, denying the South Africans a potentially crucial win away from home. Sundowns appeared to be in control for much of the match, but Al-Hilal’s resilience in the second half swung the momentum in their favor.
The turning point came after halftime as Al-Hilal adjusted their formation and pressed higher up the pitch. A late burst of energy and clinical finishing allowed them to overturn a deficit and claim all three points. The result adds another layer of intrigue to Group B, where three teams now contend for qualification spots.
For Sundowns, the defeat will be a bitter pill, yet it should not erase the good work they showed in the opening 45 minutes. Both sides demonstrated why the CAF Champions League remains a stage for high-intensity, tactical football where small moments can alter the course of a game.
As Group B heads into its decisive phase, Al Ahly’s two-goal triumph places them in a strong position, while Al-Hilal’s late shift in momentum keeps the race wide open. Sundowns will be keen to recover quickly and reassert their credentials in the remaining matches.
What this means for Group B going forward
The two results on Friday highlight the 경쟁 for top spot in Group B. Al Ahly’s victory over Young Africans gives them a clear path to securing a knockouts berth, provided they maintain consistency in defense and pressure in attack. Al-Hilal’s comeback mirrors the volatility of this group, reminding everyone that the CAF Champions League is a competition defined by momentum swings and strategic adaptability.
Fans can expect a tense remainder of the group stage as teams jockey for position, with every match carrying the potential to reshape the standings. The next rounds will reveal whether Al Ahly can sustain their form, whether Al-Hilal can maintain their late surge, and how Sundowns respond to this setback in pursuit of qualification.
