Ajayi’s Brace Gifts Al Ahly Three Precious Points
In a thrilling game, Al Ahly managed to defeat Talae’a El Gaish SC 2-1 tonight in the Egyptian Premier League at Al Ahly Stadium.
Tala’ea El Gaish took the lead in the 27th minute, as Ahmed Samir scored the opener from a free-kick. The Red Eagles responded quickly in the 32nd minute, as our winger Junior Ajayi scored the equalizer from an impressive header. Ajayi was once again the man of the goals, as he scored the winner from a brilliant follow-up in the 91st minute.
After today’s victory, Al Ahly currently have 24 points, while Tala’ea El Gaish have 12 points.
The game began at a fast pace, as both teams were trying to score the opener, but both goalkeepers were at their best levels and managed to block a lot of dangerous chances.
Furious Attack
Al Ahly were dominant from the start, as we were seeking to create more chances from Mohamed Hany’s and Mahmoud Wahid’s efforts from the sides. However, in the 7th minute, Tala’ea El Gaish’s first moment came, but our goalkeeper El Shenawy comfortably denied it.
Our defenders Ayman Ahsraf and Badr Benoun stood their ground, as they managed to block another two dangerous attempts away from our net.
In the 17th minute, Hussien El Shahaat fired a screamer but his efforts were denied by the opponent’s goalkeeper Mohamed Bassam. In the 27th minute, we conceded a goal as Ahmed Samir scored from a free-kick.
The Equalizer
Al Ahly kept the pressure in order to score the equalizer, and in the 31st minute Afsha fired a strong shot, but the ball went away to a goal kick.
In the 32nd minute, a long-range pass from Afsha was met by an impressive header from Ajayi to level the score. The Red Eagles then had many opportunities to take the lead, but Bassam managed to sweep all the chances away.
Once again, Bassam saved his team as he blocked Hamdy Fathy’s effort from range. The minutes went on and the first half ended with a 1-1 draw.
Constant Pressure
Al Ahly began the second half with high pressure in order to score the second goal. In the 56th minute, we missed a dangerous scoring chance as Ajayi passed the ball to Mohamed Sherif, but Bassam managed to keep it away from our forward’s head.
El Shenawy maintained his great form, and he managed to deny Amr Gamal’s effort.
Our head coach Pitso Mosimane used his bench in the 62nd minute, as both Taher Mohamed Taher and Walter Bwalya joined the game instead of Sherif and Fathy. In the 79th minute, Mosimane made his third substitution as Kahraba joined the game instead of El Shahaat.
The Winner
Al Ahly kept the domination, as our side continued to move the ball around fluidly, pinning Tala’ea El Gaish back deeper all the time.
Our keeper El Shenawy was needed in the 85th minute, as he denied Eslam Mohareb’s efforts.
Ajayi scored the winner from an impressive follow-up in the 91st minute. Hany delivered a brilliant cross inside the box, and Bwalya managed to win the aerial challenge against El Gaish’s defender, then Ajayi managed to tuck it into the back of the net.
The final minutes went by and our players were always a step quicker than the opponents. Mosimane made his final substitution in the game as Dieng joined the game instead of Afsha in the 95th minute. We were about to score the third goal of the game before the referee Mahmoud El Bana blew the full-time whistle.
Mini Match:
Venue: Al Ahly Stadium
Referee: Mahmoud El Bana
Starting Line-up:
Mohamed El Shenawy
Badr Benoun
Ayman Ashraf
Mohamed Hany
Mahmoud Wahid
Amr El Soulia
Hamdy Fathy (Taher Mohamed Taher)
Hussien El Shahaat (Kahraba)
Afsha (Dieng)
Junior Ajayi
Mohamed Sherif (Walter Bwalya)
Subs:
Yasser Ibrahim - Kahraba - Ali Lotfy- Walter Bwalya - Marwan Mohsen - Saad Samir - Akram Tawfik - Taher Mohamed Taher -Aliou Dieng
Goals:
’27 Ahmed Samir (Tala’ea El Gaish)
’32 ’91 Junior Ajayi
Yellow Cards:
Junior Ajayi
Hamdy Fathy
Badr Benoun
Al Ahly are set to face Ismaily SC in the Egyptian Premier League on the 10th of March at Alexandria Stadium.
