SA's Percy Tau scores but late Wydad goal dents Al Ahly's hopes of CAF Champions League glory

Al Ahly hopes of a record-extending 11th CAF Champions League title hang in the balance after conceding a late goal in a 2-1 final, first-leg win over Wydad Casablanca on Sunday.

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The Egyptians will face the Moroccans again, in Casablanca next Sunday, desperate to avoid a third final loss to their rivals in seven seasons.

Ahly built a two-goal lead after 59 minutes through goals from South African Percy Tau and Mahmoud Kahraba before a capacity 50 000 crowd at the Cairo International Stadium.

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But the final took a dramatic turn when defending champions Wydad snatched a precious away goal four minutes from the end of regular time through substitute Saifeddine Bouhra.

Ahly were no longer in control, and if Wydad can score once and not concede in the return match, they will retain the title and be crowned African champions a fourth time.

The home side pushed forward from the kick-off and Tau and Kahraba came close to scoring before the Libyan referee awarded Ahly a penalty for hand ball on 30 minutes.

Pleas from Wydad followed and the match official changed his decision after viewing the pitch-side VAR monitor and realising the ball hit the head of Bouly Sambou and not his hand.

Such was the dominance of the Egyptian outfit that their third-choice goalkeeper, Mostafa Shobeir, did not touch the ball until gathering a harmless free-kick on 35 minutes.

Shobeir, a son of legendary Ahly goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir, made his Champions League debut after injuries ruled out first choice Mohamed el Shenawy and reserve Ali Lotfy.

Brave block

The stand-in goalkeeper bravely blocked a