The Egyptian champions’ chances of overcoming their poor group-stage start were boosted when joint-leaders Wydad Casablanca and Esperance drew for the second time on Saturday.

But the stalemate in Algiers only gave Ahli their fifth point to remain in third place in Group B, one point adrift of Wydad and Esperance. Alger remain bottom on two points.

Two summer signings made their debuts for Manuel Jose’s side, with Mohamed Naguib starting at the heart of defense and Walid Soliman coming on as a second-half sub.

Ahli had most of the possession at Stade 5 Juillet, but needed better finishing to wrap up the vital three points of the tie.

Wael Gomaa was denied from close range early on, but the best chance of the first half came to Emad Meteb, who was too sluggish with the ball when he was one-on-one with the keeper.

Meteb, who scored twice to hand Ahli a 2-0 win over the Algerians a fortnight ago, was replaced by Dominique da Silva before the hour mark, but the Mauritanian didn’t make much of an impact.

Mohamed Shawky started in place of suspended captain Hossam Ghaly in midfield as he came close to snatching a rare goal for the visitors, but was thwarted by a brave rush-out from keeper Sofiane Azzedine.

Jose then brought in Soliman for Mohamed Abou-Treika in another attempt to refresh his attack, but the hosts remained firm at the back to win their first clean sheet of the group stage.