At the end of a tense and choppy second leg final, Al Ahly held off Wydad Casablanca 1-1 at Casablanca's Mohamed V stadium to win their 11th CAF Champions League title. A week ago, the Red Devils won 2-1 in Cairo.
The Wydad players had no choice at kick-off. After losing 2-1 in Cairo a week ago, they needed a win in Casablanca to keep their Champions League hopes alive against Al Ahly, the competition's most successful team. The Moroccan fans had already shown the way by invading the stands three hours before kick-off and bringing out tifos worthy of the event.
Attiah Allah, decisive left foot
On the pitch, the Wydad players did not feel it necessary to get the match off to a flying start. They were patient until they found the breakthrough from a set-piece. An incredibly well-taken free-kick from Attiah Allah took the Egyptian defence by surprise and Mohamed El Shenawy, who was making his return to goal, was beaten (1-0, 28th). At that point, Wydad took control thanks to the away goal. The Mohamed V stadium was on fire. Now it was the Red Devils who had to react. They absolutely had to score to get back in front. They failed to do so on 24 April when they visited Raja Casablanca in the second leg of their quarter-final tie (0-0). Above all, WAC are a fortress at home. They have not conceded a goal at home in six Champions League matches this season.
Mohamed Abdelmonem responds from a corner
However, Al Ahly are not one of the world's most successful teams for nothing. After floundering after the Moroccan opener and showing a great deal of nerves, the Egyptian club equalised from a corner in the final quarter of an hour. Their Egyptian international Mohamed Abdelmonem headed in the equaliser (80th). It was the 24-year-old central defender's 4th goal. The Red Devils held off Wydad 1-1 and went on to win their 11th CAF Champions League. A 3rd title in 4 years. At the same time, they exacted revenge on the Moroccans, who beat them in the final in 2017 and 2022.
