Pitso Mosimane’s Al Ahly side took a step towards qualification for the knockout stages of the Caf Champions League with a 3-1 win over Al-Merreikh, while AmaZulu’s ambitions were dented by a 2-0 home loss against Raja Casablanca.

Al-Merreikh1-3 Al Ahly

Mosimane’s chargers moved into second place, three points clear of Al-Hilal ahead of their clash against Mamelodi Sundowns, with a 3-1 away win against Al-Merreikh.

The Red Devils started on the front foot and managed to grab the lead with 19 minutes gone as Percy Tau found the bottom corner after following up on Amr El Soleya’s effort from range.

While Ahly looked to be in ascendency they were pegged back on the hour mark as the Sudanese outfit drew level in a goal similar to Ahly’s as Mohamed El Shenawy parried a shot by Algozoli Hussien back into play allowing Agab to grab the leveller.

The defending champions, however, continued to push forward and went back ahead with 18 minutes gone when Mohamed Sherif was set up by Maaloul before finding the bottom corner.

Al Ahly quickly doubled their lead a minute later as Ahmed Abdelkader made it 3-1 and all but securing the victory.

Mosimane’s team then shut up shop in the closing stages to secure an important victory and the three points.

AmaZulu 0-2 Raja Casablanca

AmaZulu’s hopes of qualification were dealt a major blow as they suffered a second consecutive defeat in the competition as Raja Casablanca secured a 2-0 win in Durban.

The home side got off to the worst possible start as they went behind with just six minutes gone as Hamid Ahadad ran was slipped in behind before chipping the on-rushing goalkeeper Veli Mothwa.

Ushutu then looked to hit back and had a chance as Augustine Mulenga was denied after a cleverly worked free-kick before Raja came close to doubling their lead as Mothwa tipped Mohamed Nahiri powerful free-kick onto the woodwork.

Benni McCarthy’s chargers came out in search of the equaliser as they pegged the visitors back, but the visitors were proving well-organised and difficult to break down.

Raja, however, managed to withstand the pressure and then took advantage of a defensive mix-up which allowed Ilias Haddad to fire past Mothwa.

AmaZulu continued to search for a way a back into the game, but the visitors managed to hold on for the three points.