Al-Ahli victorious in the Rades showdown
In an incredible show of sheer will and stamina, Al-Ahli managed a righteous injury time goal to blow Tunisian hopes and win the African championship for the second year in a row.
The roaring Tunisian crowd filled the Rades stadium but the Ahli players were on a mission. They never lost their concentration from start to finish.
The first half ended with no goals and just one true scoring chance strangely wasted by the Tunisians. Despite this, the Reds seemed in control and had their first substitution when Emad Meteb replaced Acoute Mansa in the 40th minute.
The second half was Red pressure all the way. The Tunisians managed a couple of chances in the first 15 minutes; Sfax, during one such assault, scored but the referee called it an offside. Al-Ahli made two more substitutions; Islam El-Shater for Mohamed Abdallah and Wael Gomaa for Mohamed Sedeek.
By the 65th minute, play intensified. Al-Ahli goalkeeper Hadary was resisting sleep; the Tunisians could hardly cross their side of the court, but time was passing, especially since the Sfax players were wasting time in that famous North African way.
And in the final minutes, with Egyptian fans feeling the dread of loss approaching, Mohammed Abu Treika scored in what can only be called divine intervention.
Godga, the referee, signaled five minutes of injury time. The time wasted by Sfax was at least twice as much. Tunis was preparing for the celebration. Egyptian fans wrapped themselves in shrouds.
But then it came – a long Ahli pass was transmitted from Meteb’s head to Flavio’s to the left foot of right-footed Abu Treika (the tournament’s leading scorer).
Abu Treika launched the ball from outside the penalty area and the outcome was “nothing but net. The goal brought back the precious cup to the Ahli squad and this time for good.
The African federation now needs to forge a new cup, as Al-Ahli will not have to give this one up since it is the fifth win in the tournament’s history for Al-Ahli.
Destination Tokyo.
Al-Ahli earned its second ticket to the Japanese team’s World Cup where the African champion will play in the Tokyo group.
The Egyptians became the first team ever to get two consecutive tickets to this championship scheduled in December.
The Ahli plane is expected to reach Cairo airport early morning on Monday and the emergency procedures are already being taken to accommodate the Egyptian fans expected to receive the team at the airport.
Mr. Jose has finally gotten his royal flush.
