Wits have it all to do after narrow loss

Bidvest Wits returned home yesterday without a precious away goal, but still very much in with a shout following a 1-0 defeat to AlAhly in Cairo on Saturday night in the first leg of their final qualifier for the 2017 Caf Champions League group stages.

A strike from central defender Ahmed Hegazy, heading home a corner in the 57th minute, was enough to give the Red Devils the victory, but Gavin Hunt’s side will feel they have every chance of going through in the second leg at Bidvest Stadium on Sunday.

Wits will, however, need to produce more of an attacking threat in Johannesburg, in a game they need to win by a two-goal margin to guarantee progress.

Hunt fielded a strong side at the Al Salam Stadium in the Egyptian capital, with the experienced Moeneeb Josephs continuing in goal and young star Phakamani Mahlambi partnering Gabadinho Mhango in attack.

But it was Al-Ahly who created most of the chances and they thought they had gone in front in the 20th minute when Moamen Zakaria put the ball in the back of the net, only for an offside flag to rule out his effort.

The Egyptian giants also came close at the start of the second half, Amr Gamal’s strike coming back off the woodwork.

And they took the lead as a corner was deftly flicked on at the near post, giving Hegazy the simple task of powering the ball into the net from about two metres out.

Wits face a busy week, where they will look to negotiate a Nedbank Cup last-32 clash at Cape Town All Stars on Wednesday night before Sunday’s meeting with Al-Ahly.

Hunt will no doubt look to juggle his squad a bit for the game at All Stars.