JOHANNESBURG – With their third continental title in six years, Al Ahli’s status as Africa’s top club side cannot be disputed.
The Cairo giants reinforced their aura of invincibility on Saturday when they plucked the Champions League crown away from Tunisian hosts CS Sfaxien with a last-gasp goal, securing back-to-back titles – only the third team in 42 years to do so. Mohamed Aboutrika scored a stunning volley two minutes into stoppage time to hand Al Ahli a 1-0 victory in the away leg for a 2-1 aggregate triumph.Their mission now will be to become the first to win it three years in a row and with the reputation they have built up, few would bet against them.Since July 2 2004, when Mohamed Fahim scored in stoppage time to hand Arab Contractors a 2-1 win in the Egyptian Cup final, Al Ahli have not lost a match in their own country.They took the 2004/2005 premier league title with 24 wins out of 26 games, the other two matches ending in draws and their haul of 74 points set a new Egyptian record.Last season they fell just short of matching that achievement but again romped home to the championship, this time amassing 72 points with 23 wins and three draws in another unbeaten season.The Cairo side now turn their sights to the World Club Cup in Japan again, determined to make up for their disappointing showing of last year.They meet Auckland City of New Zealand in their opening round match and if they progress to the semi-finals will play Copa Libertadores champions Internacional of Porto Alegre.Nampa-ReutersMohamed Aboutrika scored a stunning volley two minutes into stoppage time to hand Al Ahli a 1-0 victory in the away leg for a 2-1 aggregate triumph.Their mission now will be to become the first to win it three years in a row and with the reputation they have built up, few would bet against them.Since July 2 2004, when Mohamed Fahim scored in stoppage time to hand Arab Contractors a 2-1 win in the Egyptian Cup final, Al Ahli have not lost a match in their own country.They took the 2004/2005 premier league title with 24 wins out of 26 games, the other two matches ending in draws and their haul of 74 points set a new Egyptian record.Last season they fell just short of matching that achievement but again romped home to the championship, this time amassing 72 points with 23 wins and three draws in another unbeaten season.The Cairo side now turn their sights to the World Club Cup in Japan again, determined to make up for their disappointing showing of last year.They meet Auckland City of New Zealand in their opening round match and if they progress to the semi-finals will play Copa Libertadores champions Internacional of Porto Alegre.Nampa-Reuters
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