Al-Ahly, an Egyptian powerhouse, won the African Champions League after drawing 1-1 with Wydad Casablanca of Morocco in the second leg of the final on Sunday. This resulted in a 3-2 aggregate victory for Al-Ahly.
With 13 minutes remaining, center back Mohamed Abdelmoneim flicked on a corner from Ali Maaloul, and the ball looped over the home defense and into the corner of the net to give the Cairo club a record-extending 11th championship.
Wydad had been on track to win on the away goals rule after fullback Yahya Attiat Allah netted a 27th-minute free kick to give the home team the lead in front of an anticipatory 50,000-strong crowd at Casablanca’s Mohamed V Stadium, despite losing the first leg 2-1 in the Egyptian capital last Sunday.
Following the achievements of their national team in reaching the World Cup semi-final in December, Wydad was seeking to cap off a spectacular season for Moroccan football. However, the Cairo club, who lost to Wydad in last year’s final, reinforced their standing as Africa’s premier team.
Compared to their closest competitors, Al-Ahly has now won more than twice as many championships in Africa’s biggest club competition. Their sixth final overall and fourth in the last four tournaments was this one.
The game-winning goal by Abdelmoneim came with time running out and Wydad appearing to be comfortably ahead.
Attiat Allah’s free kick was missed by both attackers and defenders in the penalty area, allowing Wydad to score despite the defense.
Despite Mohamed Ounajem’s protests, the goal was given to the fullback after officials reviewed television footage.
The Wydad fans’ cacophony of noise, which frequently reached eardrum-piercing decibel levels and produced a frightening atmosphere, made Sunday’s final a typical testy affair, full of gamesmanship, multiple arguments with the referee, and some horrible tackling.