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CAF Champions League

VAR OPERATIONAL IN AFRICA FOR THE SECOND TIME

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Video assistant referees (VAR) will be used in the CAF Champions League final for the first time on Friday when Al Ahly of Egypt host Esperance of Tunisia in the first leg, SuperSport reports.nnThe system allows off-field referees to assist match officials regarding goals, penalty and straight red card decisions, and mistaken identity when awarding red and yellow cards.nnVAR has been used once before in Africa, for the 2018 CAF Super Cup match between Wydad Casablanca of Morocco and TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo.nnWhile VAR has been both lauded and loathed by footballers and officials, its use at the World Cup in Russia this year was considered “largely successful” by FIFA.nn”We used it for the Super Cup last February without any hitches and are delighted to go a step further,” CAF general secretary Amr Fahmy said.nn”This is another historic moment for African football. CAF is determined to use the latest innovative technologies available.”nnRecord eight-time champions Ahly and twice trophy-holders Esperance have met 16 times at various stages of the Champions League, starting with two goalless 1990 qualifiers.nnThe most controversial refereeing decision came in a 2010 semi-final when Nigerian Michael Eneramo clearly handled when scoring the goal that won the tie for Esperance.nnIt was scant consolation to Ahly that the Ghanaian referee who allowed the goal to stand in Tunisia was banned.nnAhly and Esperance go into the two-leg title decider — the second leg is on November 9 in Tunisia — knowing a great deal about each other having also met in the group stage.nnAfter a 0-0 draw in Egypt, Ahly won the return match 1-0 through a goal from Morocco-born Walid Azaro, one of six he netted in the Champions League this season.nnAnice Badri of Esperance has scored one more with his seventh coming five minutes from time to secure overall victory in a dramatic semi-final against Primeiro Agosto of Angola.nnOther potential match-winners in Alexandria and Rades include Haythem Jouini of Esperance, who has come off the bench to score vital goals.nn‘UNJUSTIFIED CRITICISM’nnWalid Soliman of Ahly is another, firing two of the three goals that took the ‘Cairo Red Devils’ past Entente Setif of Algeria in the semi-finals.nnA key factor in the consistent success of north African clubs in CAF competitions is the number of top quality goalkeepers the region boasts.nnSo, it was unusual that rival coaches Patrice Carteron of Ahly and Mouine Chaabani of Esperance had to defend their shot-stoppers after the semi-finals.nnBoth Mohamed el Shenawy of Ahly and Rami Jeridi of Esperance conceded soft second-leg goals that, fortunately for them, did not prevent their clubs progressing.nn”I trust Mohamed, who often faces unjustified criticism,” said Carteron, a Champions League-winning coach in 2015 with Mazembe.nnThe first French coach of Ahly was more concerned about missed scoring chances in both legs against Setif.nn”Wasted opportunities could have affected the semi-final outcome and I have once again reminded my players how important it is to convert easy chances.”nnWhile Carteron has guided Ahly since June when Hossam el Badry quit after a group stage loss in Uganda, Chaabani has been coach for just one CAF fixture.nnKhaled Ben Yahia was sacked soon after the first leg loss to Primeiro and his assistant promoted to one of the hottest seats in African club football.nn”The Primeiro matches were nerve wracking and I hope my players have learnt a lot of valuable lessons from them,” he said.nn”As we prepare to face a great club like Ahly it is crucial that we believe in ourselves and are prepared to fight until the final whistle in Egypt and Tunisia.”nnApart from a $2.5 million (2.2 million euros) prize, the African champions qualify for the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, which guarantees at least another $1 million.nn nn 

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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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