“Third-time charm it must be,” Al-Ahly hoped before the CAF Champions League showdown against Wydad AC, and the most decorated African side finally celebrate their CAF Champions League title following two previous losses to the Morrocan slot.A 1-1 draw in the return leg was enough for the Red Devils’ 3-2 victory on aggregate, as they defeated the same rival 2-1 in the first leg played in Cairo last weekend. The tie was decided late in the second half as Al-Ahly’s defender Mohamed Abdelmonem nailed a superb header to level the score after Yahia Attiyat Allah’s opener pushed the home side to the brink of triumph at the packed Stade Mohamed V.We Are The Champions of Africa 🦅 pic.twitter.com/VDtTYVR9vb— Al Ahly SC 🇬🇧 (@AlAhlyEnglish) June 11, 2023 Instead of WAC’s fourth, Al-Ahly can brag about their remarkable 11th continental triumph, which makes them a unique side in the world, let alone in Africa.In front of almost 70,000 spectators, including PSG’s president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, two evenly-matched sides fought courageously straight from the kick-off. The tensions were running high while Al-Ahly’s Malian perl Aliou Dieng was making relentless runs cutting through Wydad’s lines like a knife through butter.FT: Wydad 1 Al Ahly 1 (2-3 on aggregate)The Egyptian giants reclaim the CAF Champions League title they lost twelve months ago to Wydad. Sweet revenge for the Red Devils#CAF2023#TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/mBlHGmUHdo— Meshack Kisenge (@kisengemeshack1) June 11, 2023 Still, he lacked some support from his teammates in the attacking line, just like Mohamed Ounajem on the other end.Wydad’s intention to make the most of set pieces was blatant, as Sven Vandenbroeck’s slot kept looking for their chances through long-distant free-kicks throughout the entire first half. Around the 30-minute mark, one of those attempts from the right-hand side proved crucial for the outcome of the whole tie. Attiyat Allah launched a 35-yard-long curved ball straight into the far corner and into the back of the net for 1-0.What a goal! Yahia Attiyat Allah equalised the series for Wydad#TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/RImlLhinbc— BabaGol (@BabaGol_) June 11, 2023 Allah’s opener triggered some spectacular celebration in the stands as the home crowd went crazy, with their fourth CAF CL title seeming just around the corner at that moment.But it was just not meant to be for them.##NAJAVA_MECA_7315624##After failing to double the lead and thus secure the much-anticipated trophy, the hosts conceded a late goal also from a set-piece action. With just 12 minutes left on the clock, Maaloul’s corner-kick found Abdelmonem on the near post and his magnificent header went straight into the far corner, stunning the home crowd and all of Wydad’s players.GOAL!!!Corner flicked in on the near post by Mohamed Abdelmonem. Stunning header!Wydad 1-1 Al Ahly (2-3)Al Ahly now in the driving seat to win the continental competition! #TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/NUX4CXYvD1— Sahil Ebrahim (@sahil_e) June 11, 2023 The defending champions, though obviously shocked with the match unfolding that way, gave one last push to take the game to extra time. They even had eight minutes of stoppage time to score the winner, but Al-Ahly’s solid defensive wall resisted impeccably for a gigantic win in this epic battle of the old rivals. The CAF CL showdown spectacle also had its little Kenyan officiating element, as Peter Kamaku (VAR) and Gilbert Cheruiyot (assistant referee) did an excellent job in a very heated atmosphere.CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – FINALSecond legWydad AC – Al-Ahly 1-1 (1-0)/Allah 27 – Abdelmonem 77/**Al-Ahly win 3-2 on agg
