Egypt's Al Ahly have been crowned champions of the African Cup of Nations - again - after defeating Wydad Casablanca. On Sunday night, Africa's most successful football team won their 11th continental crown. A 1-1 draw, which marked the end of the night, gave them a 3-2 aggregate win at Wydad. The teams met in the same match last year when Wydad won the title for the third time.This year, the Egyptians traveled to Morocco with a 2-1 first leg win. To say that the North African derby is an understatement, however, would be an understatement. Before kick-off, Wydad fans lined up for hours outside the Mohamed V stadium in Casablanca.The 60,000 crowd gave his side fantastic support from the start, screaming their ears off when Al Ahly were on the ball and roaring in front of them when they regained possession. Ethiopian referee Bamlak Tessema came under intense pressure after making a decision - many players from each side approached him several times.Wydad finally broke the deadlock in the 27th minute thanks to a goal from behind by Morocco international Yahia Attiyat Allah. The 28-year-old fired the ball free from the goal and, in a sea of oncoming Wydad players, the opposing keeper was caught. The visitors kept pushing to close out the half but could not add to their advantage.
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Al Ahly started the second half knowing that a goal would be a must - a draw would make them champions while a 2-1 win would still send the game to extra time. However, Al Ahly's Percy Tau, Hussein El Shahat and Mahmoud Kahraba, who make up perhaps the most talented forwards in Africa, tried hard to threaten Wydad's goal. The task seems impossible, especially as no team has scored an away goal in the second round of the Champions League since 2014. But, just when all hope seemed lost for the Red Devils, an unlikely hero emerged. In the 78th minute, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Al Ahly and Egypt's star centre-half ran on to an in-swinging corner kick and flicked the ball into the far corner of the net. The 24-year-old, who was voted man of the match, dedicated his achievement to his team-mates. He has come a long way from Abdelmonem, who was unknown in Egypt just 18 months ago. The national team's former manager Carlos Queiroz is also being teased for a call-up for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. However, it was during this flagship continental tournament that Abdelmonem became one of Africa's most famous players, before being named in the same tournament.
"Of course I am happy with the goal but it is testament to the collective efforts of all the players, who displayed tremendous dedication throughout the game," he said.
