AFL: Al Ahly Holds Simba 2-2 As Wydad Arrives Nigeria For Enyimba Clash

The first fixture of the inaugural edition of the African Football League ended in a draw after 11-time African champions Al Ahly held Simba Sports Club to a 2-2 draw on Friday evening, at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

Reda Slim scored the opening goal for the visitors in 45+1 minute of the first half before Kibu Denis drew level for Simba in the 53rd minute. Sadio Kanouté put the hosts in front 2-1 five minutes later before Mahmoud Kahraba pulled level for Al Ahly 2-2 in the 63rd minute to give the Egyptian giants a comfortable result heading into the reverse fixture.

The second leg is slated to take place on Tuesday 24th October at the Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt, with the eventual winners over both legs advancing to the semi-finals of the competition.

Meanwhile, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco has touched down in Nigeria ahead of their first leg encounter against reigning Nigeria league champions Enyimba International scheduled to take place on Sunday at the Goodswill Akpabio International stadium in Uyo the Akwa Ibom State capital.

Wydad departed the Rabat International Airport on Friday morning en route to Nigeria through the club’s private jet.

They arrived the country around 5 pm for the much anticipated encounter.

The reverse fixture is slated to take place on Wednesday October 25th at the Stade Mohamed in Rabat the capital of Morocco.

QUARTER-FINALS

Friday 20/10/2023
Simba 2-2 Al Ahly

Saturday 21/10/2023
Petro de Luanda vs. Mamelodi Sundowns

Sunday 22/10/2023
TP Mazembe vs. ES Tunis
Enyimba vs. Wydad Casablanca

Tuesday 24/10/2023
Al Ahly vs.Simba
Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Petro de Luanda

Wednesday 25/10/2023
ES Tunis vs. TP Mazembe
Wydad Casablanca vs.Enyimba

SEMI-FINALS

Sunday 28/10/2023
Petro de Luanda/Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Simba/Al Ahly

Wednesday 01/11/2023
Simba/Al Ahly vs. Petro de Luanda/Mamelodi Sundowns

Sunday 28/10/2023
Enyimba/Wydad Casablanca vs. ES Tunis/TP Mazembe

Wednesday 01/11/2023
ES Tunis/TP Mazembe vs. Enyimba/Wydad Casablanca

FINAL

Sunday 05/11/2023
Winner: Semi-final 2 vs. Semi-final 1

Saturday 11/11/2023
Winner: Semi-final 1 vs. Semi-final 2