Ahly coach Hossam El-Badry has said that his players were more powerful and dangerous than Wydad’s, despite the 1-0 loss to the Moroccan side in the second-leg of the African Champions League Saturday, blaming the referee for the loss.
“Wydad are entitled champions, but not by the performance. They scored from an obvious offside while the referee deprived us of two well-deserved penalties,” the 56-year-old tactician said in the post-match press conference.
Record holders Ahly, who failed to get over a 1-1 home draw in Alexandria last week, lost hope to lift their ninth trophy, and the first since 2013, after a stunning 69th minute header from Walid El-Karti.
“I warned before of refereeing mistakes and we suffered from it in the two legs of the final, but it seems that nobody cares about African refereeing,” he added.
The solitary goal sparked wild celebrations at Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, with Wydad holding on to their advantage to secure their second Champions League title, having won their maiden accolade in 1992.
“It’s very sad that African tournaments are being won by referees,” he concluded.
Wydad will now play in the FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi next month.
Source: ahram
