WAEL Gomaa was the unlikely match winner as Al-Ahly snatched a dramatic 2-1 triumph over fellow Egyptians Ismailia on Sunday in a fiery African Champions League clash.

The bald 34-year-old centre back who signed a two-year contract extension this week exposed the aerial weakness of the visitors in the Group B showdown to head home three minutes into stoppage time.

His far-post winner handed Ahly three precious points ahead of a mid-August visit to leaders JS Kayblie of Algeria, who have maximum points after defeating Heartland of Nigeria 1-0 on Saturday.

Kabylie have collected six points from two outings in the mini-league phase, record six-time champions Ahly four, 2009 runners-up Heartland one and 1969 title holders Ismailia lie bottom with none.

Meanwhile, defending champions TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo had to come from behind to draw 2-2 with Algerian visitors Entente Setif while Tunisia’s Esperance secured a 1-0 win over Dynamos of Zimbabwe in the other Group A game.

Agencies