(Ahmed Al-Malky/DNE)
Despite the past year’s suspension of professional football activity in the country, Egypt’s Al-Ahly managed to beat the Orlando Pirates at the Arab Contractors stadium on Sunday to clinch their record 8th CAF Champions League title.
The match played to a sold out and the crowd consisted mainly of Ultras Ahlawy.
The Red Devils defeated the Pirates, also known as “the bucs” in the two-legged final 3-1 on aggregate. Abu Trika scored Ahly’s goal in the first leg in South Africa with Matlaba equalising.
In the second leg, the goals were scored by striker Ahmad Abdel Zaher veteran Mohamed Abu Treika who announced his retirement following the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup is set to play at the FIFA club world cup in Morocco from the 11 to 21 December.
(AFP PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI)
Ahly’s starting lineup consisted of Goalkeeper Sherif Ekrami, defenders Sherif Abdul Fadil, Mohamed Naguib, Wael Gomaa, Sayed Moawad Ahmed Fathi, Midfielders, Hossam Ashour, Abdullah Saeed, Walid Soliman, Mohammed Abu Trika and Ahmad Abdel Zaher as a sole striker.
The Pirates lineup consisted of goalkeeper Meyiwa, defenders Matlaba, Mahamutsa, Lekgwathi, Gcaba, Masalesa, Midfielders Manyisa, Klate, Segolela, Myeni and striker Bacela.
Abu Trika scored in the 54th minute after Abduallah al Saeed attempted a shot at the goal outside the 18-yard zone only to be deflected by an Orlando defender. The veteran midfielder calmly placed the ball on the left-hand side of the goal, sending the crowd into frenzy.
Abdel Zaher hit net in the 84th minute after a cross from substitute Shedid-Kenawy found Abduallah Al Saeed who passed it to Ahmad Fathi. Fathi then passed a fast ball from outside the box into the six-yard zone, where Abdel-Zaher was stationed. The first touch was sufficient for the second goal, and Ahly’s 8th title.
In the 63rd minute The Bucs had the chance to complicate the match when Manyisa passed the ball to striker Bacela, who dribbled past goalkeeper Ekrami only to shoot the ball wide, missing the chance to equalise the score.
In the 82nd minute Sherif Abdul Fadil was sent off after a violent clash with Daine Klate earned him his second yellow.
(AFP PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI)
The match was full of controversy after Abdel Zaher raised the four-finger Rabaa-sign while celebrating the second goal and Abu-Trika refused to take the podium and receive his medal from Minister of Sports Taher Abuozeid. He has since been censured. Abdel Zaher, meanwhile, was suspended with his salary put on hold, according to a statement on the club’s official website on Monday. Uncertainty over Abu-Trika’s political affiliation caused a media campaign against him, accusing him of supporting the Muslim Brotherhood.
Teams expected to play in the Club World Cup in Morocco include Brazil’s Atletico Mineiro, who defeated Paraguay’s Olimpia in the 2013 Copa Libertadores final and will represent the South American Zone, while Raja Casablanca will represent the host nation, Morocco. Auckland City won the OFC Champions League will and will represent the Oceanian Zone and Mexico’s Monterrey won the CONCACAF Champions League and will represent the North, Central America and Caribbean Zone. Bayern Munich will represent the European Zone after winning the UEFA Champions League. Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande will represent the Asian Zone at the after winning the AFC Champions League.
