Al Ahly were crowned 2023/24 CAF Champions League champions after edging Esperance de Tunis 1-0 on Saturdau evening.
CAF Champions League Final
Result: Al Ahly 1-0 Esperance (1-0 on aggregate)
Date: 25 May 2024
Venue: Cairo International Stadium
The Red Devils made only one change from the goalless draw in the first-leg, as Karim Fouad took the place of Ali Maaloul, who was not in the squad while Bafana Bafana forward Percy Tau retained his place on the right wing.
The Egyptian giants had a perfect start after going ahead within the first four minutes after a header in the box deflected off Roger Aholou into his own net from a corner.
Buoyed by the vociferous crowd, Al Ahly remained on the front foot and midway into the first stanza Tau had a chance after going through on goal but his shot hit the side-netting.
Esperance were subdued and struggled to find their rhythm going forward and could not trouble goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
The Red Devils went into the interval with a narrow 1-0 lead and also by the scoreline on aggregate.
Miguel Cardoso’s charges improved their play going forward from the break, as ten minutes in they had their first shot on target after Houssem Tka’s effort was smothered by Shobeir.
Al Ahly were happy to absorb the pressure and shifted more into a defensive mode on 67 minutes after manager Marcel Koller brought on defensive midfielder Aliou Dieng in place of Tau.
The Red Devils had spaces to exploit on counter-attacks in the closing and with ten minutes to go, Emam Ashour had a chance after going through on goal but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Amanallah Memmich.
The game was on the edge in the dying minutes, with ES Tunis forced to commit numbers in attack and Al Ahly were dangerous again on the break, as Mohamed Magdi almost put the game to bed with a strike that came off the crossbar.
The Egyptian giants defended in numbers in the dying moments and frustrated ES Tunis, as they won 1-0 and by the same scoreline on aggregate.
Al Ahly were crowned champions for a record-extending 12th time.
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