AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER
SOUTH African coach Pitso Mosimane has celebrated his historic win of the CAF Championship League trophy with a powerful quote from the legendary Nelson Mandela.
As Al-Ahly fans went wild and painted Cairo red after they had defeated rivals Zamalek 2-1, Mosimane drew inspiration from Mandela. “It always seems impossible – until it is done.”
Mosimane himself also had powerful words to mark the occasion. He said: “I had come to the Nile River to catch the big Fish.”
And, in African football, they don’t come bigger than the CAF Championship.
Mosimane has become the first coach to win the trophy twice, with different clubs. The win is also Al-Ahly’s first trophy since 2013.
In celebrating the victory, he paid tribute to his players and technical staff. “Alone we can do so little, but together but together we can do so much. Thanks Captain El Khatib , and the board, players, technical team, players, staff, admin, supporters, my Family , South Africa and Almighty God for the trophy.”
Al-Ahly had a dream start at the crowdless Cairo International Stadium, scoring in the 6th minute from a corner that Amr El Soleya pounced on with a glancing header.
The game stabilized for a while and was brought back to life by a stunning equaliser from Shikabala, who dribbled past three defenders and unleashed a shot to the top left corner, leaving Mohamed Elshanawy in Al Ahly goal, well beaten.
When it seemed like the game was headed for extra time, Mohamed Magdy produced a magic strike to clinch the trophy. He capitalised on an erratic defensive header from Zamalek and placed the ball at the top right corner, past Zamalek’s goalkeeper Mohamed Abougabal, sending the Al-Ahly bench into cloud nine.
Mosimane, who took over from Swiss coach Rene Weiler, has now scored a double, winning the Egyptian Premier League trophy and CAF Champions League trophy. He joins the exclusive club of seven coaches who have won the champions league more than once. He won the trophy with Mamelodi Sundowns in 2013.
