Holders Al Ahly beat Al Merreikh 3-1 in Egypt on Friday to boost their quarterfinal prospects in Group A of the CAF Champions League.
The Sudanese side elected to play its home match in Cairo and the move clearly worked to the advantage of the Pitso Mosimane side.
Little wonder, South African Percy Tau put Al Ahly ahead in the 19th minute with a low finish before Ramadan Agab equalized for the Sudanese side in the 63rd minute to silence the home crowd.
However, the champions restored their lead when Mohamed Sherif and Ahmed Abdelkader scored in the 72nd and 73rd minutes to seal the win.
The defending champions took their tally to seven points, three points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns who face Al Hilal later.
Al Merreikh are out of the quarterfinal race whereas Al Hilal must win against Sundowns to stand any chance of competing with Al Ahly for the last eight space.
Sundowns have already booked their quarterfinal place and await either Al Hilal or Al Ahly to have the company of the second team in the quarterfinals.
Al Ahly starting Line-Up:
Al Ahly: Mohamed El Shenawy, Mohamed Hany, Ali Maaloul, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Yasser Ibrahim, Amr El Soulia, Hamdy Fathy, Mohamed Magdy Afsha, Hussein El Shahat, Percy Tau, Mohamed Sherif