'Gedo' injury blow as Ahly hold Etoile

Al-Ahly star Mohamed 'Gedo' Nagy could be sidelined for six months after injuring his knee in a 1-1 CAF Confederation Cup draw against Etoile Sahel. 'Gedo' retired 30 minutes into the CAF heavyweights draw at the weekend and a club official told Egyptian media the striker would be out of action for up to half a year. Nagy only recently returned to action for the Cairo 'Red Devils' after foot surgery and rejoins a long casualty list, including fellow striker Emad Moteab. Egyptians Ahly and Tunisians Etoile are among the three most successful CAF clubs with 26 titles between them and the Group B match at Mediterranean resort Sousse did not disappoint. Cautious Ahly were content to sit back during the opening half, but the tactic backfired near half-time when 2006 Confederation Cup winners Etoile scored. Ahmed Fahy and Saad Samir failed to cut off a cross and Algerian Baghdad Bounedjah beat goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy from close range. Etoile wasted several early second-half chances to score more goals and were punished just before the hour mark. Gamal darted on to a pass from substitute Ahmed Shokri and scored with the only shot Ahly had on target. Etoile finished strongly at the Stade Olympique with in-form Bounedjah foiled by the woodwork before Marouane Tej blazed wide. The clash of giants at the 30,000-seat stadium was watched by a crowd restricted to 8,000 owing to post-Arab Spring security concerns. A point kept Ahly top of the table with four, Etoile and Ivorians Sewe San Pedro have two each and Zambians Nkana one. Sewe were grateful to goalkeeper Ake Ahouchi for a 1-1 draw at Nkana in a match overshadowed by the death of home club coach Masauso Mwale. The 51-year-old died on the eve of the game from severe head injuries after his car overturned on the Ndola-Kitwe highway. Roger Assale put the Ivorians ahead midway through the opening half, Roger Kampamba equalised, and a string of spectacular Ahouchi saves denied the Zambians maximum points. Cameroonians Coton Sport leapt from the bottom to the top of Group A with a 2-1 home victory over Malians Real Bamako in Garoua. Nigerien Daouda Kamilou scored to give the 'Cottoners' a 1-0 half-time advantage, Badra Ali Sylla equalised and Ephraim Yosanguim snatched the 80th-minute match-winner. Kofi Boua missed a penalty, had a goal ruled offside, and fluffed several other scoring opportunities as Ivorians ASEC Mimosas were held 0-0 by Congolese AC Leopards in Abidjan. Coton have three points, ASEC two, and Leopards and Real one each with the Cameroonians and Congolese playing a game less. Matchday 3 fixtures are scheduled for the June 6-8 weekend. Source: AFP