This weekend will see the 2nd leg of this thrilling two-legged CAF Champions League final, with Al Ahly having the advantage after they maintained their unbeaten home record against Wydad Casablanca, triumphing 2-1 in the first leg.
Wydad AC vs Al Ahly
CAF Champions League Final
Sunday, 11 June – 21:00
Stade Mohammed V
Belgian Sven Vandenbroeck, the fourth coach of Wydad this season, has done an incredible job with the Red Castle thus far after being appointed to the helm just a month ago. The Belgian tactician is well aware that the Egyptian titans will be looking to avenge last year’s disappointment, although he’ll no doubt be relishing the prospect of leading Wydad to a fourth continental crown.
The Red Castle will come out guns blazing in front of a sold out crowed after getting an important away goal back in Cairo. Vandenbroeck will look to put African titans Al Ahly under immense pressure from the start and stamp their authority early in the game, making good use of the ball as they look to add the Red Devils to their list of casualties.
This second leg somewhat leaves the advantage in the hands of the Red Castle, and if they can capitalise on home ground advantage and score once and not concede, they will be on course to retain their title and be crowned African champions for the fourth time. Reda Jaadi, Ayoub El Amloud and Junior Sambou need to relish this moment and help their team put Al Ahly on the back foot. The defensive block needs to be all in sync with each other on the day to eliminate Al Ahly from creating any chances that could be decisive in being crowned champions of Africa.
History beckons as no Belgian coach has won this prestigious tournament, and Vandenbroeck could be the first Belgian to do so. The mindset and belief he instilled into the team after a roller-coaster of a season they experienced is admirable to say the least. Lifting silverware could be the spark of good things to come as they go through this transition period as a club, and the Red Castle are just 90 minuties away from closing their season on a huge positive.
“Wydad and Ahly are two great teams regardless of performances in the Champions League this season."
— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) June 4, 2023
Wydad captain Yahya Jabrane admits they are fired up for the against Al Ahly and downplayed the absence of Red Devils skipper Mohammed El Shenawy. https://t.co/65FMgcCxHg pic.twitter.com/60O3KUKXcG
To Win Match
Wydad Casablanca 12/10 | Draw 18/10 | Al Ahly 47/20
Percy's stats in CAF Champions League this season 🦅🦁
— Al Ahly SC 🇬🇧 (@AlAhlyEnglish) June 5, 2023
5️⃣ Goals
5️⃣ Assists pic.twitter.com/DjYSSVeeCC
Al Ahly takes a commanding lead into the second leg of this CAF Champions League final which means they have one hand on the trophy, as it stands. Marcel Koller and his team will not get ahead of themselves and will remain calm and focused to get the job done when they travel to Morocco for the second leg.
Koller’s side showed their dominance and confidence at home when they were welcomed by 50 000 fans in an electrifying atmosphere that allowed the Red Devils to play on the front foot from the first whistle and did not surprise to see them in the lead at the break. It was absolute delirium for the home supporters and the atmosphere went fever pitch.
Travelling to Morocco for the second leg will be a huge test of mental and physical strength for the Red Devils as the loss from last season against the very same opponent will still be fresh in their minds. Koller’s side will look to take control of proceedings to get their hands on a record 11th CAF Champions League title. It will turn a good season into a great season if they could manage the pressure and lift this prestigious trophy in unfamiliar territory.
The livewire, Hussein El Shahat, who bagged two assists in the previous game, was instrumental for his team, showing his guile and trickery to pick out a pass which the Egyptian giants capitalised on.
South African winger Percy Tau was at it again showing his class and ability to finish in the final third with the ever-present Kahraba who has played an integral part of this incredible squad. Swiss coach Koller will demand the same performance from his key players with the same intensity and believe to be crowned champions once again.
Al Ahly holds the advantage into the second leg, but the job is far from over as the trip to Morocco will be extremely difficult in a hostile atmosphere. The Red Devils will use this to fuel their fire and determination to put Wydad Casablanca to the sword.
Verdict: Al Ahly – 47/20
This will be the third time these two giants lock horns at this stage of the tournament with Wydad getting the better of Egyptian titans on two occasions. Al Ahly hold the slender advantage but will know how difficult it will be in Morocco.
Some sort of revenge will be on the minds of the Al Ahly players. I back the Red Devils to come out victorious after the 90min.
