Pitso & Al Ahly crowned African champions
South African tactician Pitso Mosimane bagged a second CAF Champions League title after helping Al Ahly to a 2-1 win over Zamalek on Friday evening.
Ahly showed their intentions five minutes after the start when Amr Al-Sulaya headed home a telling ball at the near post, as the White Knights went to sleep at the back.
Achraf Bencharki went close to bring Zamalek level minutes later following a few half-hearted openings, but lacked the necessary accuracy.
It was left to none other than veteran Mahmoud Shikabala, who in sublime fashion brought the White Knights level right on the half-hour mark from a stupendous finish from the 18-yard area after weaving his way past three challenges.
El-Shenawy came up trumps in the earlier minutes of the second half with smart saves from Moustafa Mohamed and Bencharki in particular, before Ahly missed a big chance 53 minutes in when Hussein El Shahat hit the post from a gaping goal following a loose pass around their area.
The post left Ahly on a knife edge midway in the second half following a fierce shot from Zizou after good work from Ahmed Sayed.
With full-time closing in, Mosimane made a change in Geraldo who replaced Junior Ajayi on 67 minutes in a quest to take full control of the encounter.
Ahly regained the lead in the final four minutes through a solid finish from Mohamed Magdy, who rifled the ball into the bottom corner with a strike from around 20 yards out.
That in the end proved enough to land Ahly a record ninth continental title, and Mosimane’s second in four years.
Source:Kickoff