Gunners 1-0 Al Ahly

NORMAN Maroto fired Gunners to a famous winner on Saturday as the Zimbabweans champions stunned Egyptian giants Al Ahly at Rufaro.

After safely navigating the preliminary round of the African Champions League, few gave Darlington Dodo's men a chance when they drew the three-time champions in the first round.

But before a heaving Rufaro, Gunners defied their critics with a historic win over one of Africa's elite clubs.

Maroto found the back of the net after just 22 minutes following a two-man move involving roving midfielder and reigning soccer star of the year Ramson Zhuwawo.

The striker found himself unmarked in the box after being set up by Zhuwawo and drilled the ball home from six yards to send the stadium into delirium and give the local champions an important edge ahead of the return leg in Egypt.

The crucial strike saw the Gunners marksman- who is in the running for the top goal scorer award in Africa's premier club competition- take his goal tally in the competition to three after netting twice in the preliminary stages.

Gunners never really showed any respect for their more illustrious opponents and appeared unfazed by the fact that the Egyptian side have won Africa’s premier club football tournament a record six times.

Dodo employed a classic 4-5-1 formation and Gunners controlled the midfield with Willard Katsande exercising almost unchallenged authority in the middle of the park.

But Al-Ahly, who started with two of their star players Abotrika and Barakati on the bench, caused some anxious moments with a robust and highly physical game. Barakati threatened the Gunners goalkeeper twice but was denied by some brilliant saves.

Meanwhile, the win means Gunners now need only a draw of any margin away in Egypt to advance to the group stages of the tournament.

The Gunners coach Dodo punched the air in delight after the final whistle.

"We really deserved to win this one. The guys played to instructions we were in control for much of the game but they are very tactical. Al-Ahly have dangerous players like Barakati and Abotrika.

“We need to tighten up in the second leg. We will work on how we will try to contain them in their own backyard but I am happy with the lads' performance," he enthused.

His counterpart Hasam El Badry said Gunners were a very strong side but promised to over-turn the deficit in the return leg in two weeks time.

"Gunners are a very strong team. They have creative players but we will over-turn the deficit in the return leg," he said.