In the maiden edition of the African Football League (AFL), history was made as the first-ever quarter-final encounter concluded in a 2-2 draw, featuring Tanzania’s Simba and Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly. The thrilling match unfolded on a Friday, setting the stage for a memorable pan-African competition.
The first half was marked by intense competition, with neither team yielding much ground. However, it was Al Ahly who managed to break the deadlock with Reda Slim’s strike in the dying moments of the first half during stoppage time.
Simba, determined not to be outdone, mounted a remarkable comeback in the second half. Denis Kibu found the back of the net in the 53rd minute, restoring parity. The home team, Simba, took the lead in spectacular fashion as Sadjo Kanoute netted a goal in the 60th minute.
The Tanzanian side’s euphoria was short-lived, as Ahmed Kahraba equalised for Al Ahly just three minutes later, levelling the score at 2-2.
The match concluded in a captivating and nail-biting manner, with neither team able to secure a late winner. The first leg ended on level terms, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the return match in Egypt next weekend.
Notably, the new AFL tournament has abandoned the rule of away goals counting as doubles, which means that this evenly poised tie promises a thrilling contest in the upcoming fixture.
This riveting encounter epitomized the promise of excitement and unpredictability that the African Football League brings to the continent.
