Egyptian giants Al Ahly SC were crowned the 2022-2023 CAF Champions League winners for the record 11th time after an entertaining 1-1 draw against Wydad Athletic Club in the return leg of the final played at the Mohammed V Sports Complex in Casablanca, Morocco, on Sunday night.
After losing 2-1 in Cairo in last Sunday’s first leg, Wydad had been on course to win on the away goals rule after fullback Yahya Attiat Allah scored a 27th-minute free kick to hand the home team the lead in front of an expectant 50,000-strong crowd.
The host dominated the match in the first half with over 65% ball possession and an all-out attacking mentality that bore fruit, breaking the deadlock in the 28th minute through Attiat Allah’s freekick from the right that curled into the far right corner.
Ahly resumed the 2nd half on a high note, exerting pressure on Wydad, but the Egyptians were forced to wait until the 78th minute to restore parity when Mohamed Abdelmoneim flicked home a header from Ali Maaloul’s corner and held on for a draw, which gave them a 3-2 aggregate win.
With the victory securing them their 11th Champions League trophy, Al Ahly has now won more than double the number of titles in Africa’s top club competition than their nearest rivals. This was their fourth successive final and sixth in the last seven editions.
Mustapha Hadji – Ahotor Sports Desk
