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Raja Casablanca 2-1 Al Ahly

A controversial penalty gave Raja Casablanca a 2-1 victory and handed title holders Al-Ahly their second straight defeat in the African Champions League on Sunday.

The battle of the two North African giants failed to live up to its promise in the early stages but came to life in the second spell.

The deadlock was broken midway through the second half as Raja were awarded the penalty.

But it appeared the referee may have made a crucial error in awarding the spot kick.

Television replays suggested Egyptian defender Ibrahim Said did not foul Moroccan striker Hicham Aboucherouane.

Raja Casablanca's Champions League team
It was Raja's first win
But after a long delay, Raja's Abdellatif Jrindou calmly slotted home the spot kick beating keeper Essam al-Hadary.

The goal failed to stir the Egyptian defending champions and they fell further behind late in the match when substitute Hicham Aboucherouane pushed home a Noureddine Kacemi cross from point-blank range.

Five minutes from time Ahly were awarded a penalty but Mohamed Emara sent his shot over the bar.

The Nigerian referee then added nine minutes of injury time because of stoppages after the Raja penalty was awarded.

Al Ahly finally reduced arrears eight minutes in to the stoppage time, Ahmed Belal beating Mustapha Chadili with a low shot into the corner.

Defeat for Al Ahly means the Egyptians now face a mammoth task if they are to defend their title.

The last team to do that was Tout Puissant Englebert in 1968.

Ironically, Englebert, now called Mazembe, are their next opponents on 30 August in Cairo and only a big win will suffice for the three-time winners.


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