In what is to be the first African football final to feature two teams from the same country, Zamalek and Al Ahly will clash in this season’s CAF Champions League final.
Image copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Cairo International Stadium will play host to two of Egypt’s biggest names on 27 November after Jaime Pacheco’s Zamalek side progressed past Raja Casablanca in their semi-final and Pitso Mosimane’s Al Ahly blitzed Wydad Casablanca to reach the tournament decider.
One of the most anticipated fixtures in the African football calendar has been given a very special touch this year. Both teams are in blistering form coming into this tie after both teams progressed to the Egyptian Cup semi-finals where there is a possibility of meeting in the final again as they avoided each other in the semi-finals.
In the last three seasons, both teams have been taking turns to get better of each other in the league. The last time these sides met was in August 2020 where Zamalek were 3-1 winners. Because there were a lot of changes in the Al Ahly technical team, Zamalek have a slight advantage coming into this game. Though Pitso has not lost a match since joining the club. This is by far the biggest test and I feel it may have come too soon.
However, if there was someone who can do it in such short space of time for Al Ahly, it’s Pitso. Whenever he is involved, we can’t rule out anything and we saw how he won with Mamelodi Sundowns where he overturned double-digits points to win leagues.
CAF Champions League Final
Friday 27 November
Cairo International Stadium
18:00
To win
Zamalek 51/20
Draw 23/10
Al Ahly 1/1
Prediction: Zamalek to Win (51/20)
Most South Africans will be hoping Pitso Mosimane wins his second CAF Champions League medal, but I think the change of technical team can be the difference in this game. This is by far Pitso’s biggest game and by far the most competitive and I feel it came too soon. Although Ahly have been fantastic since Pitso took charge and I wouldn’t rule out a win for the Red Devils.
Written by Banele Pikwa
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