Wydad, Ahly battle to be Africa’s club kings

Wydad Casablanca and Al Ahly will continue their battle to be Africa’s club kings when they meet in the second leg of the Caf Champions League final, set for Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca on the evening of Sunday 11 June 2023.

Kick-off is at 9pm CAT.

The first leg at the Cairo International Stadium last weekend ended 2-1 in favour of the Egyptian side. Strikes from Percy Tau and Mahmoud Kahraba put the Red Devils in full control of the tie until a late away goal from Saifeddine Bouhra brought the Moroccan team right back into contention.

In fact, the Red Castle need only a 1-0 win to take the tie on the away goals rule, and they will know that Stade Mohamed V is a place holding mixed memories for Al Ahly. The Egyptians won the 2020-21 CAFCL at the stadium but were also beaten 2-0 there by Wydad in the title match the very next season.

Wydad coach Sven Vandenbroeck is very much playing up the importance of their away goal: “It can be a big advantage in seven days. I think we can be very happy with a 2-1 score,” said the Belgian.

“At 2-0, you think you're dead, but with an away goal, it opens all the doors. I'm very happy with what we did as a group. Everyone who was given a chance to play performed their role well. This is a very united group and we played as a team. I hope we can be rewarded with the title [on Sunday].”

The Casablanca club is looking to win back-to-back Caf Champions League titles for the first time in their history and a fourth continental crown overall.

Al Ahly, meanwhile, are chasing a record-extending 11th Champions League title and a third in the space of four seasons. Coach Marcel Koller believes his team will cancel out Wydad’s away goal and claim the title.

“We did not lose and I am certain we are able to score a goal in Morocco which will give us a good advantage for a positive result,” said the Swiss tactician.

“I am delighted with the victory [in the first leg]. The final is always difficult because it is a meeting between the two best teams in the continent. We performed well as a team and deserved the victory. I trust in my players that we can win the title.”

Ethiopian referee Bamlak Tessema Weyesa will take charge of the match in Casablanca on Sunday evening.