NAIROBI, Kenya, April 8- As expected, Egyptian record seven-time CAF Champions League winners, Al Ahly ended Tusker FC’s interest in the competition when they hit them 2-0 in Alexandria to complete a 4-1 aggregate first round rout.
The match moved away from Cairo due to the political unrest in the country was played in front of 20,000 fans with Egypt’s Interior Ministry allowing only 3000 to attend.
Supporters turned unruly, setting off flares in the stands as their team booked passage to the next phase of the competition.
“What had happened from our fans is not good for the team; the Confederation of African Football will punish us and may make us play our next match behind closed doors” Mohammed Yousef, Ahly’s assistant coach told SuperSport.com.
“Now we have qualified to the next stage of African Champions League and we will play against Bizertin of Tunisia and that will be tough clash especially as our matches with northern African teams are like derbies,” he added.
Ahmed Abdul-Zaher opened the scoring in the fifth minute from a corner before Emad Motaeb who netted a brace in Nairobi when Ahly were in town doubling their lead on 38 minutes to clinch the tie.
“Lack of concentration cost us and we had poor marking that is why we lost the match plus the referee made inconsistent calls and don’t forget we had our chances but didn’t convert. We have been taught something out of this and we will build on this performance,” Tusker coach, Robert Matano said after the match played at Port Borg El Arab stadium.
Tuskers exit sealed another fruitless weekend on the continental scene for Kenyan club football.
On Saturday, Gor Mahia were forced to a 0-0 stalemate by another Egyptian side ENPPI to exit the CAF Confed Cup 3-0 on aggregate as the Magreb curse against Kenyan outfits continued.
Both teams will now have to pick up on the league for a chance to return to the continental stage this season.
Tusker are expected back to the country later Monday and spent three days in Alexandria to prepare for the match.
