in-form winger Walid Soliman scored twice as Ahly strolled to a 2-0 home win over Zimbabwe’s Platinum to move joint top of their African Champions League group on Saturday.

Soliman gave Ahly an early lead with a powerful header and converted a second-half penalty to ensure the win, the second successive victory for the Red Devils after they beat Sudan’s Al-Hilal 2-1 in Cairo in their previous match.

The record eight-time winners, who are eyeing their first Champions League crown since 2013, moved level on six points with Al-Hilal and Tunisia’s Etoile Sahel after three matches in what could be a tight race for the two quarter-final tickets.

Platinum lie at the bottom with no points following three defeats.

Ahly’s early onslaught saw winger Ahmed El-Sheikh spurn a clear-cut chance, firing straight at the keeper from close range following a neat three-man move.

Soliman made amends on eight minutes, meeting an inviting cross from Tunisian left-back Ali Maaloul with a superb glancing header that nestled into the corner of the net.

Ahly took their feet off the gas pedal after going ahead, allowing Platinum to try and push forward, although they created little upfront.

The visitors’ best chance came on the quarter-hour mark when a shot from Never Tigere forced a fine save from keeper Mohamed El-Shennawi.

In a drab second half, Ahly were awarded a penalty when El-Sheikh was brought down in the area. Soliman’s spot-kick struck the hands of keeper Wallace Magalane and went in.

Misfiring striker Walid Azaro was guilty of a glaring miss in the dying minutes, volleying the ball over the bar with the goal gaping after another teasing cross from Maaloul.