Ahly stun Wydad to take African title number 11

The fans left their Casablanca homes on Sunday and filled Stade Mohamed V hours before kick off to make a huge amount of noise but they drifted away in silence as Al-Ahly defeated Wydad AC to win their 11th African champions League title. After the first leg in Cairo a week earlier ended with a 2-1 win for the Egyptians, for much of the second leg, the Moroccan hosts were leading 1-0 and heading for a second successive title win. A late equaliser from Mohamed Abdelmomen however meant that the return match ended 1-1 to give the Red Giants a 3-2 aggregate win.

As well as continental title number 11, it gave Al-Ahly revenge after losing in last year’s final to the same team. Africa's showpiece was as hard-fought but more bad-tempered than the European version 24 hours earlier and with fewer goal mouth incidents to talk about. It was fitting that both goals came from set pieces.

Moroccan international Yahia Attiyat Allah put Wydad ahead on the night in the first half but late in the second Abdelmonem headed home the all-important equaliser for Al-Ahly. It was always going to be a difficult first half for the Egyptians in the cauldron of Casablanca and the game plan was very much about keeping it tight until the break at least. So it was not a surprise that the home team made most of the running and the deadlock was broken on the night.