Aliou Goloko
19 November 2008
The Egyptian club Al-Ahly of Cairo have won the African Champions League trophy for the sixth time, winning 4-2 on aggegrate over Coton Sport of Cameroon. They concluded their victory with a 2-2 away draw following a 2-0 home win. Al-Ahly has now won more soccer titles than any other club in Africa.
The players of Coton Sport will have to wait for another final to be able to brandish the champions league trophy. Taking part in its maiden champions league final at home at the Roumde Adjia stadium, Cameroon's leading club for the past ten years could not reverse the deficit suffered away at the hands of the Egyptians.
Thanks to a 38th minute goal from captain Ahmed Hassan, Al-Ahly started the return leg of this champions league in the best possible way. Despite an equalizer just before the break by the mobile Abdul Karim (1-1, 45+2), Coton Sport was still behind by two goals in aggregate. Ousmaila Baba, however, gave some hope to teammates and fans by scoring a second goal at the at the 63rd minute (2-1).
With this advantage, the Cameroonians pushed forward hoping to grab their first Champions League trophy, but this was misjudging the know-how and the experience of the old Cairo club. Al-Ahly scored an equaliser from the penalty spot at the end of regulatory time (2-2, 89th minute).
Al-Ahly booked their ticket for the World Cup of Clubs to be held in Japan in the month of December.
The teams:
Coton Sport Garoua: Kassaly-Makadji, Gaha Djiadeu (cap), Nnouck Minka (Ndam-Ndam 71), Kana- Abdoul Karim, Mpondo, Zoua-Sanda (Traore, 81) – Kamilou, Baba.
Al-Ahly: Amir-Sedik (Maowad, 46), Gomaa, Shady (cap) -al-sayed-Hassan (Boujelbene, 60), Ashour, Barakat, Gilberto-Abou Treika (Fathi, 75 ) Flavio.
Goals:
Coton Sport Garoua: Abdul Karim (45+1), Ousmaila Baba (63)
Al-Ahly of Cairo: Hassan (38), Shady (89 penalty).
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