Egyptian giants Al Ahly are the 2023 CAF Champions League champions following their 1-1 draw (2-3 on aggregate) against Wydad Casablanca on Sunday night.

Following their 2-1 loss in the first leg, hosts Casablanca had no option but to attack from the onset and their efforts paid off when Yahia Attiyat Allah gave them a first half lead in an ill-tempered match but defender Mohamed Abdelmonem equalized on the night for to turn the tide in Ahly’s favour.

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Ahly scored 27 goals in 14 matches en route to continental glory and four of them came from Egypt centre-back Abdelmonem. Defeat for Wydad ended a run of two final victories over Ahly, and they paid the penalty for concentrating on defending their fragile second-leg lead instead of seeking further goals.

Ahly pocketed a record four million dollars for winning and Marcel Koller became the first Swiss coach to win the premier African club competition. It was the third Champions League triumph in four seasons for Ahly after victories over fellow Egyptians Zamalek in 2020 and Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa the following year.

Wydad broke the deadlock when an Attiyat Allah free-kick close to the touchline floated into the goalmouth, eluded El Shenawy, and landed in the far corner of the net. A set piece gave Wydad the lead and another one — a corner from Ali Maaloul — set up Abdelmonem to equalise with a glancing header into the far corner that stunned the crowd.

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