Al Ahly claimed a record-equalling 12th CAF Champions League title after edging Esperance 1-0 in the second leg of the final on Saturday night at the Cairo International Stadium.
The narrow victory sealed a 1-0 aggregate win for the Egyptian giants, who have now lifted three continental crowns in the last four Champions League campaigns. An early own goal by Esperance midfielder Roger Aholou ultimately proved decisive over the two-legged final.
Al Ahly made a dream start, taking the lead just five minutes into the match. Captain Rami Rabia flicked Mohamed El Shahat’s corner into the danger area, and Aholou inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net to give the hosts the advantage.
Buoyed by the early breakthrough, the Red Eagles pushed to extend their lead in the opening half hour. Wessam Abou Ali and Percy Tau both went close but failed to find the target, while El Shahat appeared to have doubled the lead in the 36th minute with a powerful long-range effort that tested goalkeeper Aman Memmiche. However, the strike was ruled out.
Esperance attempted to mount a response, but Al Ahly remained composed and defensively solid, managing the game expertly to protect their slender lead until the final whistle and secure yet another chapter of African glory.
The triumph further cements Al Ahly’s dominance on the continent, as they become the only club to have won the CAF Champions League in consecutive seasons on four different occasions. They previously achieved back-to-back titles in 2005–2006, 2012–2013, and 2019/2020–2020/2021.
Attention now shifts to the CAF Super Cup, where Al Ahly will face CAF Confederation Cup winners and fierce rivals Zamalek in a highly anticipated all-Egyptian showdown.
