Ahly s new coach Patrice Carteron expressed delight with the Reds performance in Tuesday s 3-0 victory over Botswana s Township Rollers, insisting that his team won with the least effort despite being away of full fitness.
"The match was so difficult, especially amid the current time and circumstances — after the return of our international players from the World Cup," Carteron said in the press conference after the match, "so the team s fitness was not 100% complete," he added.
After a poor start at the African Champions league group stage under former coach Hossam El-Badry, the Cairo giants granted their French coach a winning start in Alexandria; assuring the club fans that they can still claim a record-extending ninth Champions League triumph.
"We won with the least effort. I am very happy that we showed our strength in the game," Carteron said.
"When I came to Ahly I found many fit players, so everyone will get his chance soon."
Ahly claimed only one point from their opening two games in Group A of the Champions League, drawing 0-0 with Tunisia s Esperance and suffering a shock 2-0 loss at Uganda s Kampala City.
Ahly now moved second in the group with four points, three behind leaders Esperance who came from two goals down to record an impressive 3-2 win over Kampala at home. Kampala and Township Rollers have three points each.
