Young Africans SC’s struggles on Egyptian soil continued on Friday night as Mohamed Trezeguet inspired Al Ahly to a deserved 2–0 victory in their CAF Champions League Group Stage encounter at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo.
The Egyptian international winger scored both goals to condemn Yanga to their first defeat of the group phase and once again underline why Al Ahly remain such a formidable force at home.
Heading into the contest, Yanga were hopeful of rewriting history, but the statistics remained unforgiving.
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This latest setback means the Record Tanzania Premier League champions have now played Al Ahly away from home five times in continental competition without registering a single win or draw, losing all five encounters.
Yanga head coach Pedro Gonçalves made several changes from the side that had impressed domestically against Mashujaa.
Djigui Diarra returned between the posts in place of Abuutwalib Mshery, while Israel Mwenda was preferred at right-back ahead of Kibwana Shomary. In attack new signing Laurindo Dilson ‘Depu’, who had starred in the previous league match, was handed a start, with Prince Dube starting on the bench
Pedro also opted for a tactical reshuffle, switching from his usual 4-2-3-1 formation to a 3-5-2 system with three central defenders and two wingbacks .
Al Ahly hand Yanga first Group-Stage defeat
The approach initially paid dividends, as Yanga matched the hosts stride for stride in the opening exchanges.
They looked compact defensively and confident going forward, registering four shots in the first half, two of which were on target,matching Al Ahly’s overall attempts in that period.
Despite Yanga’s organisation, Al Ahly found the breakthrough in first-half stoppage time. Mohamed Hany delivered a precise cross from the right, which Trezeguet met with a well-timed header past Malian international goalkeeper Djigui Diarra to give the hosts a 1–0 lead heading into the interval.
Yanga started the second half with intent, making two early substitutions as Mwenda and Damaro, who was already on a yellow card were withdrawn for Pacôme Zouzoua and Mudathir Yahya.
However, the changes failed to bring the desired balance. As Yanga pushed higher up the pitch in search of an equaliser, spaces began to appear at the back.
Al Ahly took full advantage of those openings and created several clear-cut chances but failed to capitalize on them. In the 75th minute , Trezeguet struck again, finishing clinically to double the hosts’ advantage and effectively put the game beyond Yanga’s reach.
Further attacking introductions, including Prince Dube, added urgency but also reduced Yanga’s defensive solidity.
Recognising the growing vulnerability, Pedro made additional changes in the 82nd minute, introducing Mohammed Hussein and Yao in an attempt to regain control. While the substitutions brought some stability, the damage had already been done.
The result adds to a long history of difficult trips to Cairo for Yanga. Their first away meeting with Al Ahly in 2009 ended in a heavy 3–0 defeat, while subsequent visits in 2014, 2016, and 2024 also yielded losses.
Overall, Yanga have conceded nine goals and scored just once in away matches against the African giants.
Despite the setback, Yanga will take encouragement from their competitive first-half display and now shift focus to the return fixture. They will host Al Ahly next weekend on January 30 at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, where they will be hoping home support can help them turn the tables and keep their Champions League campaign firmly on track.