A controversial goal from Mohamed Fadl and a Fathi thunderbolt gave the Red Devils a two-goal advantage before Esperance skipper Oussama Darragi reduced the arrears.

Afterwards, the Cairo giants failed to widen the gap and only secured a 2-1 home win despite creating a number of scoring chances.

"We played a good game and were the better side most of the time," Ashour told Ahli's official website.

"We could have scored a bigger victory but we were jinxed.

"But it's a good result after all and we still can qualify for the final."

Fathi echoed Ashour's sentiments by saying: "If we had converted the opportunities we had, we would have netted more goals. We were better than Esperance in every aspect of the game."

Wael Gomaa, who put in an assured display during Sunday's match, voiced more satisfaction over the narrow victory.

"The result is fairly acceptable, especially that our opponents were strong," the combative defender stated.

Ahli are aiming to book a place in the elite competition's final for the fifth time in six years.

A victory by any scoreline at Esperance in the return leg will see the six-time African champions go through.