Mohamed Madgy Afsha scored a beauty of a goal with four minutes left on the clock as Egyptian giants Al Ahly beat rivals Zamalek 2-1 at the Cairo International Stadium to clinch a record ninth CAF Champions League title.
The Cairo Derby, the first time a final was being decided by teams from the same country, looked to be headed for a draw before Magdy scored a beauty to hand the Red Devils the coveted silverware.
Head coach Pitso Mosimane who joined the team less than three months ago has won his second Champions League title, coincidentally against the same side he beat to clinch his first crown in 2016 when he was with South African side Mamelodi Sundowns.
Al Ahly had the perfect start with Elsoulia breaking the deadlock after only six minutes, the midfielder sneaked in behind the defence to nod in a header from Ali Maaloul’s corner to give The Red Devils the lead.
Zamalek responded after going down by forcing Ahly to play in their half as they sought an equalizer to get back into contention.
They had the chances, with veteran Shikabala having a shot from range saved while Achraf Bencharki had a grounder go just wide.
But they went level terms in the most sublime of fashions, Shikabala going on a superb solo effort. The experienced striker picked the ball from a throw-in on the right, drifted to his favourite left foot before unleashing a belter that left Mohamed Elshenawy dazed.
The White Knights kept the pressure, but couldn’t convert their possession to any additional goal as the two Egyptian giants went into the break on level terms.
In the second half, the stakes were raised as each team increased the tempo.
Ahly had the best chance of the opening minutes of the second period but top scorer Elshahat missed a sitter, hitting the upright from five yards out after a beautiful cutback from Maaloul found him with a gaping goalmouth.
On the other end in the 65th minute, Zamalek also struck the upright with Ahmed ‘Zizo’ Mostafa seeing his effort go cracking on the woodwork after setting himself up with a beautiful first touch and launching a rocket with the second.
It remained a tight contest as possession was balanced, but Ahly tilted the scales to their favour in the last quarter of a the game. The pressure was rewarded as Magdy scored the winner with four minutes left, another from range.
The forward controlled the ball with his thigh to get off his marker before rolling a volley that landed on the keeper’s left to hand Ahly their ninth CAF Champions League crown.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Benjamin Yamoah