CAF Champions League - The African Mirror

May

29

2024

‘Eat, dream football culture’ propels Al Ahly to 12th CAF Champions League title

FOOTBALL

IT is no surprise that Egyptian giants, Al Ahly are the Confederation of African Football (CAF) TotalEnergies 2023/2024 Champions League winners for a record 12th time, according to a Kenyan footballing strategist and coach. The Egyptian ‘Red Devils’ beat Tunisia’s Esperance Sportive de Tunis 1-0 at a packed Cairo International Stadium on Saturday, May 25, 2024, in the second leg of the final to clinch the title, a week after a 0-0 draw in the first leg encounter in Tunisia. Speaking after the Champions League title triumph, Al Ahly coach Marcel Kohler attributed his team’s success to a tactical style…

May

21

2024

By MAHFOUD AMARA

Al Ahly and Esperance highlight the dominance of North Africa in club football. Lessons for other African teams

FOOTBALL

AL AHLY, based in Cairo, and Esperance, in Tunis, are among the most successful clubs in the history of the main club cup competition in Africa, the CAF Champions League. Al Ahly has reached the finals multiple times and boasts 11 titles, making it the most successful club in the competition’s history. Similarly, Esperance has secured the title multiple times. These successes have not occurred by accident. The two clubs have financial muscle, effective management systems and large fan bases. These factors not only boost their performances in competition but also influence their strategic decisions at the Confederation of African…

May

01

2023

By The African Mirror

Fan death, crowd trouble mar CAF Champions league ties in North Africa

SPORT

Casablanca authorities have opened an investigation after a fan died outside the gates of the Stade Mohammed V before Raja's match against Al-Ahly in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals. Moroccan media reported that the fan, a 29-year-old woman, died in the crush as thousands of fans tried to get into the ground to watch Raja try and overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg in Egypt. "Aziz El Badrawy, President of Al-Raja Club Athletic, in his name and on behalf of all members of the club, extends his deepest condolences to the family of the fan, Noura, who passed…

Oct

24

2020

By The African Mirror

Mosimane’s Al Ahly storms into the CAF Champions League final with a 3-1 win

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER THEY are singing praises on the streets of Cairo to South African coach Pitso Mosimane who has guided Egyptian giants Al Ahly to the finals of Africa’s premier club competition - the CAF Champions League. Al Ahly overwhelmed Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca 3-1 in the second leg of the CAF Champions League semi-final. The victory gave Al Ahly, dubbed “the club of the century” - a total score of 5-1 because went into second leg 2-0 up. Striker Marwan Mohsen, who has found a new lease of life under Mosimane, scored early in the game and Hussen…

Nov

28

2020

By The African Mirror

Mosimane, Al Ahly make African football history

SPORT

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…

Aug

04

2021

By The African Mirror

Sundowns Partner with Roc Nation

OTHER

BOITUMELO RANTAO SOUTH African based team Mamelodi Sundowns have announced a partnership with global sports agency, Roc Nation Sports. The American industry titans have applauded Sundowns climb to continental success and revealed ambitions to grow the team's brand into the "biggest club in African football in the world". Sundowns explained their vision and will collaborate with Roc Nation to "drive change through impactful initiatives and alignments, with the greater purpose of uplifting communities and lives." the club said in a statement. With the intent of maintaining Sundowns high-standard of football Roc Nation Sports will provide consultation regarding "transfers and the…

Jun

22

2021

By The African Mirror

Wydad stays optimistic ahead of Chiefs’ 2nd leg

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER WYDAD Casablanca’s head coach Faouzi Benzarti still feels optimistic for his team after their shock first-leg CAF Champions League loss to Kaizer Chiefs FC. The 2017 winners fell to the South African football team with a 34th-minute goal in Stade Mohamed V, ending their impressive 13-game unbeaten run in all competitions. Speaking in a post-match conference, Benzarti expressed his desire for him and his team to shift the game in the return leg in Johannesburg, and refused to blame the loss on his players. “We lost with one goal, we still have another match to play in…