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CAF Champions League

EGYPT’S AL AHLY SET TO RECONFIRM CONTINENTAL DOMINACE

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When Egyptian giants, Al Ahly, enter the pitch on Friday for the 2018 CAF Champions League final encounter against North African rivals Esperance of Tunisia, the Red Devils will be backing on the decent form of their veteran winger Walid Soliman.nn nnSince joining Al Ahly from domestic side ENPPI in 2011, Soliman enjoyed Champions League glory with the club in 2012 and 2013.nn nnHe scored the decisive goal in the aggregate 3-2 victory over Esperance when both sides clashed in the 2012 final.nn nnSoliman also won three more CAF titles with the club, namely 2 CAF Super Cups (2013 and 2014) and the 2014 CAF Confederation Cup.nn nnBut it’s this year that saw Soliman rising to “No. 1 star” rank within the Red Devils squad. After seeing legend Mohamed Abu Treika retiring in 2013, Soliman did his job well, but being overshadowed by the likes of Emad Moteab, Abdullah Elsaid and others.nn nnThis year saw Moteab also retiring, with Elsaid shifting his career to Saudi Arabia to similar name bearers Al Ahly of Jeddah.nn nnSoliman scored in the 1/16th round against CF Mounana of Gabon, then missed a penalty in the 2-0 defeat at Uganda’s KCCA that saw Ahly deemed to bottom of their mini league stage group. But since French coach Patrica Carteron arrived, the 33 years old winger proved to be the team’s superstar.nn nnA goal against Horoya of Guinea in the quarterfinals, and two more in both legs against Algeria’s ES Setif in the semis, in addition to two more assists proved Soliman to be the “Top Gun” within Ahly ranks this term. and he remains the fans favorite as his side prepares to their second successive appearance in the final, hoping to better their runner-ups finish last year.nn nn”I always do my best for the team. I never think of personal achievements, just the welfare of the team concerns me all the time”, said Soliman who is considered one of the team veterans, alongside skipper Hossam Ahsour and right back Ahmed Fathy.nn nnStarting his career as a left full back with Haras El Hodood in 2004, Soliman moved to then second tier side El Gouna in the next season, before moving to Suez based Petrojet in 2006.nn nnProving his quality there, he was always linked to a move to his childhood beloved club Al Ahly, but that was never turned into reality.nn nnHe has a stint abroad in Saudi Arabia with Al Ahly Jeddah, before moving to ENPPI in 2010, after his former club refused several transfer requests from the Red Devils then.nn nn”I almost had a nervous breakdown. Before a league game against Al Ahly with ENPPI, Ahly supporters called me and chanted my name, I was almost in tears. But I did my best with ENPPI, and at the end of the 2010-11 season, my dream finally came true”, added Soliman who had 27 caps with The Pharaohs.nn nnIn August 2011 Soliman joined Al Ahly for a reported 1.2 million US dollars fee then. And he never failed to win the hearts of die-hard Ahly fans. In seven seasons with the club, he won 4 Egyptian Premier League titles, 1 Egypt Cup, 4 Egypt Super Cups, plus five CAF titles (2 CAF Champions League titles, 1 CAF Confederation Cup and 2 CAF Super Cup trophies).nn nnBut this year means a lot more to the “No. 11” shirt holder, as he wishes for another Champions League glory in the infamous red shirt. “I am an Ahly supporter before being a team player.nn nn“We will do our best to win the trophy as a gift for our beloved fans”, concluded Soliman.

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CAF Champions League

Pyramids claim maiden African Champions League title

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Egypt’s Pyramids claimed a deserved 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa. This led to a 3-2 aggregate success. They celebrated their first African Champions League title. This triumph occurred following the second leg of this year’s final at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday.

The first leg in Pretoria finished 1-1. Fiston Mayele gave Pyramids the lead on 23 minutes. He profited from a Sundowns defensive error. Ahmed Samy doubled the advantage on 56 minutes. He scored with a header from a free-kick.

Sundowns pulled a goal back through Iqraam Rayners with 15 minutes remaining. One more goal would have given them victory in the tie on the away goals rule. However, Pyramids held firm despite heavy pressure from the visitors.

Pyramids are the fourth Egyptian side to lift the Champions League trophy after record 12-time winners Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily. Meanwhile, 2016 champions Sundowns head to this month’s Club World Cup in the United States on a low note.

-Reuters

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CAF Champions League

CAF Champions League Final: Fact File on the Egyptian Pyramid

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  1. 1. Pyramids aim to become the first new CAF Champions League winner since Sundowns (2016), the 13th in the modern era, and the 27th overall.
  • 2. This is the 19th Champions League-era final featuring an Egyptian club. Previous teams (Al Ahly 10, Zamalek 1) have won 11 titles.
  • 3. Including the pre-Champions League era, this is the 29th final for an Egyptian club, with 18 wins and 10 losses.
  • 4. Pyramids have played only 1 of their last 9 matches at home but are unbeaten in their last 23 home games this season (W19 D4) and last 28 overall (W24 D4).
  • 5. Pyramids scored in 22 of 23 home games this season; the only blank was a 0-0 draw vs Al Masry.
  • 6.This season, they’ve won all 7 home matches, scoring 26 and conceding 6, with one clean sheet. In total, they’ve lost just 1 of 11 home matches in the competition.
  • 7. Fiston Mayele leads with 8 goals in 12 matches (5 since group stage); Ibrahim Adel has 6 (also 5 post-group stage).
  • 8. Ramadan Sobhi has 5 assists in 9 games (joint-most), plus 2 goals. He’s had major impact off the bench twice.
  • 9. Askary Chibi has created 20 chances since the group stage — the most for Pyramids.
  1.  10. Pyramids have kept 3 clean sheets this season, all away, but remain dominant at home

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CAF Champions League

CAF Champions League Final: Fact File on Mamelodi Sundowns

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  1. 1. Sundowns are in their third CAF Champions League final (2001, 2016, 2024).
  • 2. South African Record: First South African club to reach three finals, surpassing Orlando Pirates (2).
  • 3. Sundowns hosted the first leg in all three finals. In 2001, they drew 1-1 at home and lost 2-0 away to Al Ahly.
  • 4. Sundowns beat Zamalek 3-0 at home, lost 1-0 away, and won 3-1 on aggregate.
  • 5. Sundowns have never scored in an away leg of a Champions League final, conceding five in total.
  • 6. The current final marks the second time Sundowns led at home and failed to win (also in 2001).
  • 7. A defeat would make Sundowns the first South African side to lose two finals.
  • 8. Sundowns are unbeaten in their last 10 matches vs Egyptian opposition (4wins and 6 draws).
  • 9. Sundowns are unbeaten in their last 4 visits to Egypt (2 wins and 2 draws).
  1. 10. A win would make Sundowns the first team since Al Ahly (2012) to win the title after failing to win the home leg.

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