After defeating Esperance 1-0 in the second leg of the final on Saturday night at Cairo International Stadium, Al Ahly won a record-tying 12th CAF Champions League title.
The Red Eagles prevailed 1-0 on aggregate to win a third continental title in the last four Champions League tournaments, with an early own goal from Roger Aholou of the Blood and Gold proving to be the difference on the night and in the two-legged finale.
Ahly took the lead in the fifth minute of the game, setting up the ideal start. Captain Rami Rabia glanced at El Shahat’s corner kick, but Esperance midfielder Roger Aholou deflected it into the goal.
In the first thirty minutes, the hosts looked to extend their lead through attempts from Wessam Abou Ali and Tau, who both missed and El Shahat, who scored a long-range goal in the 36th minute, which stung Esperance goalkeeper Aman Memmiche’s palms. Hiowever, the goal was ruled out.
The Egyptian club held on to their narrow lead to secure, adding to their African club glory. They will face CAF Confederation Cup champions and arch-rivals Zamalek in the next CAF Super Cup.
Al Ahly becomes the only team to win the CAF Champions League trophy twice in a row on four occasions. Before their recent back-to-back triumphs, they achieved this feat in 2005 and 2006, 2012 and 2013 as well as 2019/2020 and 2020/2021.
By Emmanuel Owusu|Akoma Sports|Ghana
