Photo credit: Al Ahly
Mohamed Madgy Afsha scored a last minute goal with four minutes left on the clock as Al Ahly beat Zamalek 2-1 at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday to clinch a record extending ninth Total CAF Champions League title.
The Cairo Derby, the first time a ultimate was once being determined by clubs from the same country.
It was Magdy who scored a beauty goal to hand the Red Devils the coveted piece of silverware.
Head teach Pitso Mosimane who joined the team less than three months in the past won his second Champions League title, coincidentally against the same club he beat to clinch his first crown in 2016 when he was Mamelodi Sundowns head coach.
Ahly additionally saved their track of now not being defeated by internal opponents in the CAF Champions League, winning their sixth win in nine matches.
Ahly had the perfect start, Elsoulia breaking the impasse after six minutes.
The midfielder sneaked in at the back of the defence to nod in a header from Ali Maaloul’s corner to give The Red Devils the lead.
The champions had been rewarded for a vibrant start and the nook had been borne after Hussein Elshahat had compelled the keeper to save from close range and parrid the ball to the right corner.
But regardless of going down, Zamalek pressured Ahly to play in their second half as they sought an equalizer to get again into contention.
They had the chances, with Shikabala having a shot from range saved while Achraf Bencharki had a shot go just wide.
But they went level in the most sublime of fashions, Shikabala taking on a awesome solo effort.
The skilled striker picked the ball from a throw-in on the right, drifted to his favorite left foot earlier than unleashing a belter that left Mohamed Elshenawy dazed.
The White Knights kept the pressure, however couldn’t convert their possession to any extra goal as the two Egyptian giants went to the spoil on stage terms.
In the second half, the stakes have been raised as each group extended the tempo.
Ahly had the first-class risk of the opening minutes of the second duration but top scorer Elshahat missed a sitter, hitting the upright from five yards out after a stunning cutback from Maaloul who played him through.
On the other side in the 65th minute, Zamalek substitute Ahmed Zizo Mostafa struck the upright bit his effort go cracking on the woodwork after setting himself up with a stunning first touch and launching a rocket with the second.
The see-saw continued to swing in each ways as possession was once balanced.
However, Ahly tilted the scales to their favour in the final quarter of an hour.
Al Alhy got the final smile as Magdy scored the winner with 4 minutes left, with a long range shot.
He managed the ball with his thigh to get off his marker before he fired rolling a volley that landed on the keeper’s left hand side and find it’s way inside the net.
