Percy Tau earned another start for Al Ahly as their Egyptian Premier League title race were put back on track with a dramatic last-minute winner.
Ahly came into the game after a 2-2 draw against league leaders Zamalek knowing they needed three points against mid-table Ghazl El-Mahalla SC to claw their way back into the reckoning.
And Mohamed Magdy Afsha who earned a start in the 10 role between Tau and Taher Mohamed with Mohamed Sherif up top got them off to the perfect start when he slotted home a penalty in the tenth minute.
But for all the dominance in possession, like for most of the domestic campaign, they failed to make it count and were duly punished when Tanzania midfielder Himid Mao Mkami netted the equaliser two miniutes before the hour mark.
Tau, who had an improved display as hit the bar and showed some good moments fielded on the right wing was hauled off in the 73rd for club legend Walid Soliman.
But it was Sherif who proved the hero with a poacher’s effort in stoppage-time to secure all three points for interim coach Samy Komsan – in what could be his last game in charge before Pitso Mosimane’s permanent successor is announced.
