Egyptian club Al Ahly have won the 2022-23 Caf Champions League, securing their record-extending 11th African continental championship.
The win came after the team held Wydad Casablanca to a 1-1 draw at Stade Mohamed V in Morocco on Sunday night, resulting in a 3-2 aggregate triumph overall.
Al Ahly had won 2-1 in the first leg in Cairo the previous weekend.
The game in Casablanca was marked by tense moments, time-wasting and simulation, according to reports.
In the first 15 minutes, Wydad Casablanca dominated the match before Al Ahly’s goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy made any notable saves. Meanwhile, the visitors were seeking to strike on the counterattack with the speed and mobility of Mahmoud Kahraba and Percy Tau, but could not generate momentum.
Yahia Attiyat Allah scored the first goal of the night for Wydad Casablanca on 27 minutes due to an in-swinging free-kick from the right. The ball ended at the back of the net amid several players making a run across its path. However, replays revealed that Mohammed Ounajem did not make a glancing header, yet the Moroccan side was 1-0 up on the night and ahead in the tie on the away goals rule.
Al Ahly responded robustly to going down, building pressure through possession towards the end of the second half. However, they struggled to penetrate the opposition’s defense, and referee Bamlak Tessema Weyesa’s controversial decisions frustrated them. Ahly’s Hussein El Shahat pull the official’s shirt following a controversial call, which was deemed inappropriate behaviour. The halftime interval offered a relief from the on-pitch tension and time-wasting, as well as some of the unsavory aspects of the sport.
The second half was equally frustrating, with both sides focusing on their inherent talent and relying on high-aggression clashes.
By the hour mark, Ahly rose above the shenanigans and built some attacking pressure, which resulted in an equalising goal in the 78th minute.
The goal came from Ali Maaloul’s corner kick, which was headed into the net by defender Mohamed Abdelmonem.
The goal made it 1-1 on the night, and put the Red Devils back on top with a 3-2 aggregate score.
The last few minutes of the match saw aggressive clashes and missed opportunities on the counterattack for Al Ahly.
The final whistle confirmed the Cairo giants’ victory, much to the frustration of the partisan crowd in Casablanca.
