While influential playmaker El Shahat, who has a knack of scoring important goals for the Red Devils, was deployed behind Bwalya by Mosimane.
On the other hand, Kenya international Michael Olunga led the attack for Al-Duhail, who had former Morocco captain Medhi Benatia at the heart of their defence.
Both teams were cautious in the opening exchanges and there was nothing to threaten the two goalkeepers, Mohamed El Shenawy and Salah Zakaria Moussa.
However, the Red Devils upped the tempo after the 20th-minute mark and they managed to break the deadlock through El Shahat on the half-hour-mark.
The 29-year-old, who netted six goals in last season's Caf Champions League, fired past Moussa from the edge of the box to make it 1-0 to Al Ahly with Bwalya providing the assist.