Al Ahly win African Champions League with draw at holders Wydad Casablanca

Casablanca, June 12 (BNA): Egyptian giants Al-Ahly won the African Champions League after scoring a late equalizer to snatch a 1-1 draw against Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca in the second leg of the final on Sunday, which ensured the score 3-2 on aggregate. victory.

Reuters reported that defender Mohamed Abdel Moneim hit a corner kick from Ali Maaloul 13 minutes before the end of the match, as the ball bounced over the home defense and entered the corner of the goal, giving the Cairo club its eleventh title, a record.

After losing 2-1 in the Egyptian capital in the first leg last Sunday, Wydad were on their way to victory on the away goals rule after full-back Yehia Atiyatallah scored a free kick in the 27th minute to give the hosts the lead against their visitors. A crowd of 50,000 spectators at the Mohammed V stadium in Casablanca.

Wydad was looking forward to completing its dream season for Moroccan football, after its national team’s championships in reaching the World Cup semi-finals in December, but the Cairo club reaffirmed its status as the largest African team after losing to Wydad in last year’s final.

Al-Ahly have now more than doubled the number of titles in Africa’s major club championship compared to their closest rivals. This was the fourth consecutive final and sixth in the last seven editions.

Abdel Moneim’s decisive goal came as time was running out and Wydad seemed to be in control.

Wydad’s goal bypassed the defense, as both attackers and defenders missed Atiyatallah’s free kick in the penalty area before it fell into the net.

The striker, Mohamed Onajem, tried to touch him, but after watching the TV replay, the officials returned the goal to the back.

Sunday’s final proved to be a fraught affair, full of wits, frequent spats with the referee and some horrific tackles as the cacophony of noise from the Wydad fans often reached eardrums piercing decibel levels and creating an eerie atmosphere.

Smoke from torches in the stands caused a temporary pause midway through the second half before the game resumed against a backdrop of green mist.

This season saw a return to the first leg of the final after the last three editions were decided by a single match.

Wydad defeated Al-Ahly 2-0 in the play-off match in Casablanca last year.

MI