Euphoric Ahly scored a trademark late goal to come from behind and earn a 2-1 victory over Ittihad of Alexandria in the Egypt Cup on Tuesday, edging closer to their first treble in 13 years.
Fresh from winning the African Champions League with a dramatic last-gasp victory over Cairo foes Zamalek on Friday, Ahly also netted one minute from time against Ittihad to reach their first cup final in three years.
Hamdi Fathi s angled header at the far post went past the advancing keeper as Ahly set up a final meeting with Talae El-Geish, who beat Zamalek 3-1 earlier in the day, on Saturday.
Ivorian winger Razak Cisse, who is on loan from Zamalek, was a constant menace to Ahly s defence, giving Ittihad a first-half lead.
However, playmaker Magdi Afsha, the hero of Ahly s Champions League triumph, stole the show again with a 72nd-minute equaliser.
The Red Devils last won the treble in the 2006-2007 season under iconic Portuguese coach Manuel Jose.
Ahly striker Marwan Mohsen missed a sitter midway through the first half, firing high over after being played in by winger Hussein El-Shahat.
They were punished for the glaring miss when the lively Cisse put Ittihad in front in the 35th minute, slotting into the far bottom corner after a clever flicked pass from Ammar Hamdi released him.
Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane gave a debut to winger Taher Mohamed Taher, who joined from Arab Contractors, in the second half. He also introduced forward Salah Mohsen, who returned to the club after a loan spell with Smouha.
Both men injected zeal as Ahly poured forward en masse, with Afsha drawing them level with a curling shot from 25 meters that nestled into keeper Emad El-Sayed s left-hand post after Ali Maaloul had pulled an angled free kick back to him.
Fathi headed home following a floated ball from El-Shahat to put Ahly on the brink of a remarkable treble.
