Ahly coach Patrice Carteron lamented his team s defensive errors after giving up three goals in Tuesday s African Champions League match with a 4-3 victory over Uganda s Kampala City, stressing again that the team still needs some time to reach their desired performance and full potential.
The Cairo giants overcame their Ugandan hosts at Borg El-Arab stadium on Tuesday and secured their place in the quarterfinals as the group leaders.
"We delivered a good game on the striking level as we scored four goals, but we have had many defensive errors that spoiled the technical staff s work over the past weeks," Carteron told Ahly s TV channel after the match.
"We achieved a fine victory that ensured our leadership of our group. We will work to achieve a balance between striking and defence in the future."
"I am not responsible for the matches schedule," Carteron continued, referring to playing a match every three days. "But the most important thing for us is to concentrate on achieving good results. We qualified for the quarter finals and we lead our group. The team has reached 70% of our aspired performance."
The Red Devils have topped Group A with 13 points, two ahead of second-placed Esperance de Tunis, who were held to a draw by the Township Rollers of Botswana earlier on Tuesday.
Carteron also defended his goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawi, stressing that he still needs more time to deliver better performances with Ahly.
"Before this game we allowed just one goal, but today we gave up three," the coach said.
"El-Shennawi doesn t have any technical or physical problems. This is football. We will work on our mistakes in the coming period."
"It was an open game as we were assured of our qualification since our opponents were already eliminated. I still need some time to deliver better performances with Ahly," Carteron concluded.
The record eight-time Champions League winners Ahly missed out on a ninth triumph after losing to Morocco s Wydad in last year s final.
