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Egyptian giants Al Ahly beat South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 in the African Champions League quarter-final first leg on Saturday as Wydad Casablanca beat Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel in Morocco by the same score.<\/span><\/p>\n Tunisian Ali Maaloul scored both of Ahly’s goals in Egypt and avenged the 5-1 aggregate drubbing Ahly suffered against Sundowns at the same stage last season. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The second leg of the quarter-finals will take place next weekend. <\/span><\/p>\n Defender Maaloul scored the first goals of Ahly’s Champions League campaign last August against South Sudanese side Atlabara.<\/span><\/p>\n But the 30-year-old did not manage to get on the score-sheet again in three other qualifiers and six group outings.<\/span><\/p>\n With 55 minutes gone, he played a one-two with Nigerian Junior Ajayi and then slammed a low shot across Ugandan goalkeeper Denis Onyango into the far corner.<\/span><\/p>\n When Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana tripped Aliou Badji inside the box midway through the second half, Maaloul made it 2-0 from the penalty spot. <\/span><\/p>\n Ahly are seeking a record-extending ninth title after six barren campaigns since defeating Orlando Pirates of South Africa in the 2013 final.<\/span><\/p>\n They are coached by Rene Weiler, who hopes to become the first Swiss coach to win the elite Confederation of African Football club competition. <\/span><\/p>\n Later on Saturday, <\/span>Wydad Casablanca<\/strong> left-back Mohamed Nahiri matched the feat of Maaloul by scoring both goals in a 2-0 home victory over <\/span>Etoile du Sahel.<\/strong><\/p>\n The Moroccan defender broke the deadlock against the Tunisian outfit after only 11 minutes and added a second goal nine minutes into the second half.<\/span><\/p>\n