Egyptian Champions League title-holders Al Ahly survived a late scare against North African rivals Al Merreikh of Sudan to book a place in the group stage of this years competition.

Things appeared to be going Ahly's way in Khartoum when just after half-time Khaled Bibo put them ahead.

That gave the Egyptians a 3-0 aggregate lead and a cushion that looked unassailable.

But half-way through the second period Ahly where given a big shock.

Two goals in two minutes from Haitham Rashid gave the home side the belief that they were right back in the match.

Ahly managed to rally their defences against the now upbeat Sudanese, and looked as if they would limit the home side to just two goals.

But on the stroke of normal time Faisal Ajab scored again for Merreikh.

It gave rise to a tense final few minutes, but the holders clung on to go through to the lucrative last eight by virtue of their one away goal.

There they join their arch enemies and domestic rivals Zamalek.