By Victor Kanayo
Egypt’s Al Ahly on Sunday night confirmed their dominance on African club football after edging Wydad Athletic of Morocco 3-2 on aggregate to lift an 11th historic CAF Champions League trophy.
The Egyptian giants had to battle hard in the second leg as they came from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Wydad Athletic Club in Casablanca.
It was a typical feisty North African derby, with chances few, but the battle immense, especially in midfield.
The Red Devils as Al Ahly are also known, won the first leg 2-1 at home in Cairo, Egypt capital.
With the triumph, the Egyptian side reclaimed the diadem from the Moroccan soccer outfit, which they lost last season at the same venue.
Settling The North African Derby Scores
But for Ahly equaliser, Wydad would have retained the title after they went ahead in the first half of the return leg based on away goal rule.
However, the Egyptian club’s victory denied them the opportunity to make history as the first ever Moroccan side to win back to back titles.
Instead, it was Ahly which left the Stade Mohamed V Complex with smiles on their faces and the trophy in their hands.
Huge Prize Money For Egyptian Club
The Cairo giants Al Ahly have now received $4m prize for winning the 2022/23 version of the competition.
CAF prize money for the top continental league increased to $4 million for the champions, almost double last year’s $2.5m.
This is aside from Al Ahly’s participation in the 2023 Club World Cup, which could see the Reds earn an extra $1m to $5m, based on their performance.
This season’s Champions League runner-ups Wydad Casablanca will earn $2m, while both Espérance of Tunisia and Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa will bag $1.2m as semi-finalists.
