Egypt's Al Ahly has claimed their 11th record-breaking CAF Champions League title, despite battling to a late 1-1 stalemate against Wydad Casablanca at the celebrated Mohammed V Stadium.
In the exciting run-up to this crowning achievement, Al Ahly had previously edged out Wydad Casablanca with a crucial 2-1 win during the first-leg of the CAF Champions League final. This critical victory gave Al Ahly the upper hand as they faced their Moroccan rivals.
Mohamed El-Shennawy made a triumphant return to the squad for the Casablanca encounter, stepping into the role of Mostafa Shobier following his injury recovery. On the opposing side, Sven Vandenbroeck shuffled his team lineup after their defeat in Cairo, with Mohamed Ounajem and Saifeddine Bouhra replacing Reda Jaadi and Zouhair El Moutaraji.
The game kicked off with both teams vying for control, but their initial scoring opportunities were limited to set pieces that failed to test either goalkeeper. The tide changed in the 26th minute when a foul on Al Ahly's Ali Maaloul led to Yahia Attiyat Allah's cross landing in El-Shennawy's net, giving Wydad the lead.
Reacting to this setback, Al Ahly intensified their attack but were hampered by multiple game stoppages, leading to Mohamed Hany and Hussein El-Shahat receiving yellow cards. Saifeddine Bouhra also received a caution for time-wasting, bringing the first half to a close with Wydad in a 1-0 lead.
The second half saw Aliou Dieng receive a yellow card for a forceful challenge, followed by Marcel Koller's strategic introduction of Afsha and Ahmed Abdelkader, replacing Marwan Ateya and Hussein El-Shahat. Abdelkader's entrance was marked by a contentious moment as he clashed with Wydad's goalkeeper Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti, though his penalty appeal was waved away by the referee.
Keywords: Al Ahly, CAF Champions League, Wydad Casablanca, Mohamed El-Shennawy, Sven Vandenbroeck, Mohamed Ounajem, Saifeddine Bouhra, Yahia Attiyat Allah, Ali Maaloul, Aliou Dieng, Ahmed Abdelkader, Marcel Koller.
A smoke-filled interruption from Wydad supporters' fireworks, resulting in an eight-minute pause due to poor visibility on the field, did not deter Egypt's Al Ahly from securing their record-breaking 11th CAF Champions League title. Despite the final match ending in a 1-1 draw with Wydad Casablanca at the renowned Mohammed V Stadium, Al Ahly's earlier performance ensured a 3-2 win on aggregate.
In a bid to claim victory, Al Ahly's head coach, Marcel Koller, introduced Amr El-Sulya and Mohamed Sherif in the 71st minute, thereby gaining midfield control. This tactic paid off as Afsha subsequently found an opening to launch a long-range pass, culminating in a pivotal corner for Al Ahly.
Stepping up to the plate, Ali Maaloul delivered a precise cross onto the head of Mohamed Abdelmonem, who expertly directed the ball into Tagnaouti's net, equalizing the score. This goal marks Abdelmonem's sixth for Al Ahly, all of which came from headers off Maaloul's crosses.
With their defenses exposed as they sought a comeback, Wydad's vulnerability allowed Koller to substitute Rami Rabia for Percy Tau, aiming to protect Al Ahly's advantage. Despite several opportunities to finalize the match, including numerous chances from Mohamed Sherif, Al Ahly was unable to capitalize.
Conversely, Wydad's attempts to shift the match's balance with a series of crosses were met with the steadfast hands of goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawy, culminating in a hard-fought 1-1 draw for Al Ahly.
This aggregate victory not only secured Al Ahly's 11th CAF Champions League title but also marked a triumphant return to Casablanca following last year's letdown at the same venue. This win underscores Al Ahly's dominance, marking their third Champions League title in the last four years and solidifying their place in the 2024 Club World Cup in Jeddah.
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