Agency :
Egypt’s football giant Al-Ahly claimed the African Champions League title on Friday, beating Egyptian rivals Zamalek 2-1 in the final.
Mohamed Madgy Afsha’s rocket goal four minutes before the end of the game at the Cairo International Stadium gifted Ahly a record-extending ninth CAF Champions League title.
The Cairo Derby, the first time a final was being decided by teams from the same country, looked to be a draw before Afsha scored a beauty to hand the Red Devils the coveted piece of silverware.
Head coach Pitso Mosimane, who joined Al-Ahly less than three months ago, won his second CAF Champions League title, coincidentally against the same side he beat to clinch his first crown in 2016 when he was at Mamelodi Sundowns.
Al-Ahly also kept track of not being beaten by their eternal rivals in the CAF Champions League, picking their sixth win in nine matches, according to CAF Online, the official website of CAF.
Al-Ahly had a perfect start as Amr Elsoulia scored after six minutes from the kickoff whistle. The midfielder sneaked in behind the defense to nod in a header from Ali Maaloul’s corner.
Then, Zamalek, who have five CAF Champions League titles, forced Al-Ahly to play in their half as they sought an equalizer to get back into contention.
In the 31st minute, Zamalek’s experienced striker Shikabala picked the ball from a throw-in on the right, burst between two Al-Ahly defenders, took the ball across another, and then smashed a left-foot shot into the roof of the net.
The White Knights kept the pressure, but could not convert their possession to any more goals as the two Egyptian giants went to the break on level terms.
In the second half, the stakes were raised as each team increased the tempo.
Al-Ahly had the best chance of the opening minutes of the second period, but top scorer Elshahat missed a sitter, hitting the upright from five yards out after a beautiful cutback from Maaloul found him with a gaping goalmouth.
In the 65th minute, Zamalek also struck the upright with Ahmed ‘Zizo’ Mostafa seeing his effort go cracking on the woodwork after setting himself up with a beautiful first touch and launching a rocket with the second.
The attempts continued to swing in both ways as possession was balanced, but Al-Ahly tilted the scales to their favor a few minutes before the end of the game. The pressure was rewarded as Afsha scored the winner with four minutes left.
Egypt’s football giant Al-Ahly claimed the African Champions League title on Friday, beating Egyptian rivals Zamalek 2-1 in the final.
Mohamed Madgy Afsha’s rocket goal four minutes before the end of the game at the Cairo International Stadium gifted Ahly a record-extending ninth CAF Champions League title.
The Cairo Derby, the first time a final was being decided by teams from the same country, looked to be a draw before Afsha scored a beauty to hand the Red Devils the coveted piece of silverware.
Head coach Pitso Mosimane, who joined Al-Ahly less than three months ago, won his second CAF Champions League title, coincidentally against the same side he beat to clinch his first crown in 2016 when he was at Mamelodi Sundowns.
Al-Ahly also kept track of not being beaten by their eternal rivals in the CAF Champions League, picking their sixth win in nine matches, according to CAF Online, the official website of CAF.
Al-Ahly had a perfect start as Amr Elsoulia scored after six minutes from the kickoff whistle. The midfielder sneaked in behind the defense to nod in a header from Ali Maaloul’s corner.
Then, Zamalek, who have five CAF Champions League titles, forced Al-Ahly to play in their half as they sought an equalizer to get back into contention.
In the 31st minute, Zamalek’s experienced striker Shikabala picked the ball from a throw-in on the right, burst between two Al-Ahly defenders, took the ball across another, and then smashed a left-foot shot into the roof of the net.
The White Knights kept the pressure, but could not convert their possession to any more goals as the two Egyptian giants went to the break on level terms.
In the second half, the stakes were raised as each team increased the tempo.
Al-Ahly had the best chance of the opening minutes of the second period, but top scorer Elshahat missed a sitter, hitting the upright from five yards out after a beautiful cutback from Maaloul found him with a gaping goalmouth.
In the 65th minute, Zamalek also struck the upright with Ahmed ‘Zizo’ Mostafa seeing his effort go cracking on the woodwork after setting himself up with a beautiful first touch and launching a rocket with the second.
The attempts continued to swing in both ways as possession was balanced, but Al-Ahly tilted the scales to their favor a few minutes before the end of the game. The pressure was rewarded as Afsha scored the winner with four minutes left.
