Reduced to ten men in Cairo before the spot-kick after Marouane Hadhoudi turned into sent off for dealing with to prevent a sure goal, Raja were in danger of falling two dreams at the back of on the hour mark.
Amr el Soulia had positioned Ahly ahead from a 13th-minute penalty that avoided the outstretched proper hand of Zniti and landed within the corner of the net.
The Egyptian decided to purpose for the identical nook from the second spot-kick, however this time Zniti pushed the ball away.
As Ahly intensified pressure inside the final 30 minutes, but a combination of saves through Zniti, brave protecting and wild capturing foiled the hosts.
Hussein el Shahat changed into the other Ahly scorer, completing off a excellent low move from South African Percy Tau on 23 minutes at a 40,000-seat Al Salam Stadium that changed into half full because of coronavirus protocols.
Dominant Ahly, who should were greater than two goals beforehand as half of-time loomed, were stung in first-1/2 introduced time whilst Mohamed Zrida halved the deficit with a low shot off a cut-again.
It leaves the select of the sector-finals inside the marquee African membership competition delicately balanced ahead of the go back fit in Casablanca, with a view to kick off past due on Friday.
Footballers are accepted to interrupt the sunrise-to-dusk rapid for the duration of the continuing Muslim holy month of Ramadan, however maximum decide on no longer to.
- Elusive identify treble -
Instead, they devour and drink after nightfall and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has agreed to increase the 1900 GMT kick-off cut-off date, with a few fits beginning near middle of the night local time.
