Egyptian powerhouse, Al Ahly is set to clash with reigning champions Wydad Athletic Club from Morocco in the highly anticipated CAF Champions League final on June 4, 2023. The Egyptian team is aiming to secure their 11th African crown, further solidifying their remarkable record.
This marks the fourth consecutive appearance for Al Ahly in the Champions League final, highlighting their position as one of the continent’s strongest teams. In fact, they have reached the final eight times within the past 12 years, a testament to their dominance.
Al Ahly embarked on their journey to the final during the second preliminary round, where they encountered Tunisia’s US Monastir. They convincingly defeated their opponents 4-0 on aggregate to secure a spot in the group stages. The Egyptian side triumphed with a 1-0 victory in Tunisia, followed by a commanding 3-0 win in Cairo.
Placed in the challenging Group B, Al Ahly faced tough opposition in South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, Sudan’s Al Hilal, and Cameroon’s Cotonsport. Despite the fierce competition, they managed to secure a spot in the quarterfinals by virtue of a 3-0 victory over Al Hilal on the final matchday. Their head-to-head record against the Sudanese team proved decisive. Al Hilal could have sealed their progress in the previous match, but a missed last-minute penalty against Sundowns cost them dearly.
Throughout the group stage, Al Ahly suffered only two defeats, both away from home, against Sundowns (5-2) and Al Hilal (1-0). They achieved a draw against Mamelodi Sundowns in Cairo (2-2) and secured comprehensive victories over Cotonsport, defeating them 4-0 at home and 3-0 away.
In the quarterfinals, Al Ahly prevailed over Morocco’s Raja Club Athletic, winning 2-0 in Cairo and securing a goalless draw in Casablanca to advance to the semifinals.
Their semifinal matchup saw them go head-to-head with Tunisia’s Esperance. Al Ahly effectively sealed their place in the final by winning the first leg in Rades 3-0, followed by a 1-0 victory on home soil in Cairo, resulting in an aggregate score of 4-0.
The first leg of the final will take place in Cairo, where Al Ahly will have a home advantage. This encounter is a repeat of last year’s final, which saw Wydad emerge victorious with a 2-0 win in Casablanca to claim the coveted title. Remarkably, this will be the third time these two rivals face off in the final stage.