Al Ahly players celebrated their victory by lifting the winner’s trophy after winning the CAF Champions League final against Tunisia’s Esperance Sportive de Tunis at the Cairo International Stadium. The match ended with a 1-0 scoreline in favor of Al Ahly, securing their 12th Champions League title, with an own-goal by Roger Aholou sealing the victory. This win marked their back-to-back titles in the elite African club competition for the fourth time, making them only the third team to achieve this feat with an unbeaten record in the competition.
The victory for Al Ahly completed a double for Cairo clubs, as their arch rivals Zamalek had won the CAF Confederation Cup the previous weekend. Al Ahly coach Marcel Koller made one enforced change in the lineup, bringing in Karim Fouad to replace the injured Ali Maaloul. Goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir, who had an impressive clean sheet record, continued his strong performance in the second leg of the final. On the other hand, Esperance coach Miguel Cardoso stuck with an unchanged lineup, hoping to secure his first trophy as a manager.
The match started with a quick goal from Al Ahly, as Ramy Rabia’s header was deflected into the net by Esperance midfielder Aholou just four minutes into the game. With a passionate home crowd behind them, Al Ahly created several scoring opportunities, but were unable to capitalize on them. As the second half progressed, Esperance grew into the game and had a few chances to equalize, but were unable to find the back of the net.
As the clock ticked down, Al Ahly faced moments of anxiety as they tried to hold onto their one-goal lead. Goalkeeper Shobeir was cautioned for time-wasting, showing the tense nature of the match. Coach Koller made attacking substitutions in an attempt to secure a second goal and seal the victory. Mohamed ‘Afsha’ Magdy came close to scoring late in the game, hitting the crossbar with a free-kick, but Al Ahly managed to hold on for the win.
Overall, it was a hard-fought victory for Al Ahly, who showcased their resilience and determination throughout the tournament. The celebration of the players with the winner’s trophy was a testament to their hard work and dedication. With this win, Al Ahly solidified their status as one of the top clubs in African football, adding another prestigious title to their impressive trophy cabinet. The fans of Al Ahly were undoubtedly overjoyed by this achievement, as they continue to support their team through thick and thin. As the champions of the CAF Champions League, Al Ahly will look to build on this success and aim for more glory in the future.
