African Football League: Kahraba's Late Goal Earns Al Ahly Draw Against Simba SC in Historic Opener

• Simba SC and Al Ahly share the spoils in the AFL opener
• The Egyptian giants scored late to avoid defeat in Tanzania
• Al AHly will host Simba SC in the second-leg next week

Ahmed Kahraba's late strike helped Egyptian giants Al Ahly to a pulsating 2-2 draw against Simba SC in the opening game of the African Football League.

The new pan-African competition kicked off on Friday in Tanzania with Simba SC hosting Al Ahly in a historic game at the fully-packed Benjamin Mpaka National Stadium.

After an electric start to the game, it was Ahly who would open the scoring through Reda Slim at the stroke of half-time after finishing off neatly following a Kharaba assist.

However, the host responded after the break through Kibu Denis' header in the 53rd minute.

Simba SC took the lead for the first time through Sadio Kanoute, who headed home from an expertly taken corner-kick.

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But Al Ahly levelled three minutes later following scrappy defending by Simba, leaving Kharaba to pounce home.

Despite dominating the final minutes of the game, Simba failed to get the winner as they travel to Egypt for the second-leg next week.

The inaugural competition, which sees eight elite teams competing for the ultimate, does not take into consideration the away goal rule. This means Simba are as much in the game as Al Ahly.

The games continue on Saturday, October 21, 2023 with Petro Luanda hosting Soth African giants Mamelodi Sundowns, as reported by afl.africa.

Eights teams compete for African honours

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that the much-anticipated African Football League will kick off in Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania, on Friday, October 20, as Simba FC hosts the reigning African champions and football royalty Al Ahly SC.

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has selected eight elite teams from across the continent for the tournament, initially called the African Super League.

Africa will witness competition from the top clubs, raising the stakes considerably in a tournament that brings an exciting new continental football product to the world football calendar.