Percy Tau found the back of the net for Al Ahly, secured a 6-1 thrashing of Khanyisa Mayo's CR Belouizdad in the CAF Champions league on Sunday evening.
Tau made the bench after recovering from a cold that kept him out of training for two days earlier this week.
While Mayo was included from the start, the former Mamelodi Sundowns star was introduced earlier than expected as he replaced the injured Reda Slim three minutes before the interval.
READ | Tau's 2-day absence from Al Ahly training 'explained'
Al Ahly were a goal behind when Tau entered the pitch, but the defending champions stormed back in style thanks to a hat-trick from Wessam Abou Ali and another goal from Hussein El Shahat.
Tau made a lively impact in the final stages of the second half as he got his name on the score-sheet in the 86th minute with his first goal of thee group stage phase.
The 30-year-old then got a an assist to go with his goal by setting up Emam Ashour, who rounded off the scoring with the team's sixth goal of the game.
As a result, the win takes the reigning African champions back to the top of Group C, with Orlando Pirates dropping to second spot.
Tau and Al Ahly will now have to wait until 10 January 2025 for their Champions League assignment away to Stade d'Abidjan.