(AFP PHOTO / MOHAMED EL-SHAHED)
Al-Ahly won their sixth CAF Super Cup title Thursday after Amr Gamal scored twice against Tunisia’s Sfaxien at Cairo Stadium. The Ahly side, however, continues to struggle in domestic play.
Sfaxien, who have played in the Super Cup title match twice resulting in two losses, seemed like they would finally have the ability to claim the title after three losses for Ahly during their last nine outings in the Egyptian Premier League. However it took Ahly only 22 minutes to take the lead in the game, attended by 30,000 screaming fans.
Gamal scored his first goal shortly after the half, extending the lead to two. Ali Maaloul responded with Sfaxien’s first goal of the night, only to have Gamal find the back of the net again to put Ahly up 3-1.
Fakhreddine Ben Youssef managed to cut the Ahly lead in half with a late-game goal; however, the Egyptian side proved superior as time expired and the “Red Devils” captured the Super Cup title for a sixth time.
Ahly fans celebrated by scuffling with Central Security Forces, which lead to 24 injuries. The Ministry of Interior reported that three cars, one of which belonged to the police, and a number of trees were burned after the celebrations.
Meanwhile, in the Egyptian Premier League, Zamalek tied a seemingly superior Police Union side 1-1 on Monday. Zamalek opened the scoring in the 57th minute with a goal from Hazem Emam after a stunning pass from Momen Zakaria left Emam all alone, face to face with the Police Union keeper. With a mere 15 minutes left, the Police side managed to find the back of the net, and for the remaining time the sides fought it out to a draw.
League leaders Petrojet lost to a close-second Ismaily side Monday 1-0, Petrojet’s second loss of the season after the first ten games.
Al-Ittihad inched closer to the top of the standings Monday as well, overcoming a much weaker Gouna side 1-0. Gouna, which currently occupies the bottom spot in the Group A rankings, has won only two of the first ten games played.
Smouha, currently at the top of the standings for Group A, distanced themselves from Arab Contractors by beating the third-ranked team 1-0 on Saturday.
A mediocre Gaish side conquered also-sub-par Minya 3-0 on Tuesday, the most lopsided result since Zamalek bested Al-Quanah 4-0 on 5 February.
Thursday will feature a match between league –leading Smouha and a mid-table Daklyeh side. The game is slated to start at 2.30pm.
