Defending champions Al Ahly defeated Simba SC 1-0 in the first leg of their CAF Champions League quarter-final on Friday night.
The Egyptian giants were without the services of midfielder Emam Ashour, who picked up a shoulder during the international break.
The home side did not get off to the best of starts as they conceded after just four minutes Koka fired home following some good work by Mohamed Hany.
After Percy Tau squandered a headed chance after 20 minutes, Simba had an opportunity to pull themselves level four minutes later but Che Malone saw his effort saved by goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
The Tanzanian had the bulk of the chances as the first half continued, but they found it tough to find a way past Shobier who pulled off a few more saves to keep out Sadio Kanouté and Saïdi Ntibazonkiza.
The second half continued in similar fashion to the first half, with Shobeir called upon to keep out a powerful strike Clatous Chama, who tried his luck from just outside the box.
With Simba dominating possession in search of the equaliser, the visitors made a double switch as Tau's evening came to an end on 67 minutes after being replaced by Taher Mohamed while Reda Slim replaced Hussein El Shahat.
Marcel Koller's charges were able to see out the rest of the second half against the Tanzanians, who will be frustrated with the fact that they were unable to turn their dominance into goals.
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