CAF Champions League

CHAMPIONS’LEAGUE FINAL MATCH MEANS SO MUCH FOR NIGERIA’S JUNIOR AJAYI

Published

5 years ago

November 25, 2020

The CAF Champions League 2020 final will mark a special occasion for Al Ahly’s Nigerian star Junior Ajayi, who is hoping to finally claim the coveted African title which has twice eluded him.

In 2017, Al Ahly lost to Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca 2-1 on aggregate in the decider, before injury prevented the Nigerian from taking part in the same fixture in 2018, which the Red Devils lost to Tunisia’s Esperance 4-3 on aggregate. The 24-year-old forward laments his side’s Champions League ambitions twice being thwarted in the final game.

“It was a bad time for us because coming up just short in consecutive editions isn’t good,” he said. “We’d played very well throughout both of those campaigns but didn’t perform in either final, which cost us the title.”

Having joined Al Ahly from Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien in the summer of 2016, Ajayi quickly made his mark at the Cairo-based club. He helped his side win the domestic league in his first season before scoring nine goals in his second year as they retained the title. Moreover, he scored three times en route to the Champions League final in 2017.

However, the Nigerian suffered a major blow in July 2018, when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Botswana’s Township Rollers in the fourth round of that year’s Champions League group stage. Ajayi, who won a bronze medal with the Super Eagles at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016, described this injury as one of his worst moments.

“Having an injury that kept me out of the game for nearly six months was one of the most frustrating moments of my career.” he said.

Did you know?

Ajayi started out as a midfielder, then became a forward and now mostly plays on the wing.
With Al Ahly, he has won four consecutive league titles and lifted the Egyptian Super Cup twice.
He scored a brace against Zamalek in last year’s Super Cup triumph.
So far this season, he has made 42 appearances for his club in all competitions, scoring 11 goals.

Ajayi’s tale is a testament to the old adage that ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’. After recovering from his six-month layoff, he celebrated another Egyptian league title before helping the Red Devils reach their third Champions League final in the last four years.

“We’re very happy we won the league, which gives us confidence ahead of the coming games,” he said. “We’re only focused on the continental title and will do our best to claim it.”

Having already faced the club’s arch-rivals in big games, Ajayi knows how difficult an opponent Zamalek will be and exactly what will await them at Cairo International Stadium on Friday.

“I expect a good game from both sides,” he said. “The two teams know each other very well, and Zamalek are among the toughest teams I’ve faced. I’ve lost two finals against them and it wasn’t a good feeling.”

Al Ahly and their fans will be hoping Ajayi can replicate his heroics against Zamalek from last year, when he scored twice against them in the Egyptian Super Cup. Were that to happen, no-one would be happier than the player himself.

“I love to play in big games because it highlights your capabilities as a player,” Ajayi said. “I’ve been lucky in scoring against big teams and I feel very happy when I do this.

“I want to score more goals and hope to win the Champions League, because it’s the only title I still haven’t managed. I hope we can do it because our fans love this tournament so much.”

If Ajayi succeeds in winning the continental title and participating in the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020, it will surely be his crowning achievement with the Cairo giants.

–FIFA

CAF Champions League

Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces to meet Sundowns in African Champions League final

Published

1 week ago

April 19, 2026

Kunle Solaja

Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces advanced to the African Champions League final despite a 1-0 loss ‌in Saturday’s second leg against compatriots Renaissance Berkane.

The military team won 2-1 on aggregate and will take on Mamelodi Sundowns in the two-legged final next ⁠month after the South African side secured a 2-0 aggregate victory over Tunisia’s Esperance earlier on Saturday.

Royal Armed Forces were 2-0 winners in the first leg in Rabat last week and held out in the return until conceding a penalty in ‌the ⁠57th minute, which Yassine Labhiri converted.

Berkane, in their debut Champions League campaign, failed to score a second goal to take the tie ⁠to a penalty shootout.

Sundowns will host the first leg of the final on May 15 , with ⁠the return in Rabat seven days later.

Royal Armed Forces won Africa’s top club ⁠competition in 1985 but have not reached the final since.

-Reuters

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CAF Champions League

Mamelodi Sundowns progress to African Champions League final

Published

1 week ago

April 19, 2026

Kunle Solaja

Colombian-born striker Brayan Leon saw his penalty saved but tucked away the rebound on Saturday to put South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns ‌through to the African Champions League final at the expense of Esperance of Tunisia.

Leon had his 35th-minute spot kick parried by visiting goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said but snapped up the rebound to ensure a ⁠1-0 home win at Loftus Versfeld.

Leon had scored the only goal of last Sunday’s first leg in Tunis and the 2-0 aggregate triumph means Sundowns are through to the final for a second successive season.

They will take on Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces. Sundowns, runners-up last season, were awarded the penalty after a throw-in back to Ben Said caught the goalkeeper napping as he ⁠tried to clear, with Leon sprinting down on him and getting a touch to the ball before the keeper made contact ⁠with him as he attempted to kick the ball clear.

Esperance came close to an equaliser minutes before ⁠halftime when an effort off the knee of French striker Florin Danho struck the Sundowns’ crossbar.

-Reuters

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CAF Champions League

Ten-man Zamalek hold on in dramatic Otoho clash to reach semi-finals

Published

1 month ago

March 23, 2026

Kunle Solaja

Zamalek booked their place in the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Congo’s Otoho, surviving a tough clash in Cairo to progress 3-2 on aggregate.

The Egyptian side looked to be cruising after racing into a two-goal lead early on, but a late goal, a red card, and an extraordinary finish — which saw striker Seifeddine Jaziri forced into goal — turned the match into a tense battle for survival.

In the end, Zamalek held firm under pressure to secure their place in the last four, where they will face Algeria’s CR Belouizdad.

Fast start puts Zamalek in control

Backed by a lively home crowd at Cairo International Stadium, Zamalek started with intent and quickly imposed themselves on the contest.

Their breakthrough came in the 16th minute when Hossam Abdel-Maguid rose highest to meet a well-delivered corner from Abdullah El-Said, powering a header past the goalkeeper.

Just minutes later, the hosts doubled their advantage.

Oday Dabbagh reacted quickest inside the penalty area after El-Said’s initial effort was parried, calmly finishing the rebound to give Zamalek a commanding lead on the night.

With momentum firmly on their side, Zamalek continued to threaten, coming close to a third goal before the break as efforts struck the woodwork in quick succession.

Missed chances keep tie alive

Despite their dominance, Zamalek were unable to extend their lead further, leaving the tie still within reach for the visitors.

Otoho, largely contained in the first half, showed glimpses of danger on the counterattack but struggled to break down a well-organised Zamalek defence.

As the second half unfolded, the tempo slowed slightly, with Zamalek appearing in control as they managed possession and limited clear opportunities for the Congolese side.

Late drama shifts momentum

The match took a dramatic turn in the closing stages.

In the 83rd minute, Otoho reignited the contest when Grace Mavungo unleashed a powerful strike from distance that flew past the goalkeeper, reducing the deficit and injecting tension into the stadium.

Moments later, the situation escalated further.

Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhi was shown a straight red card following an altercation with an Otoho player, leaving the hosts with ten men and no recognised goalkeeper on the pitch.

With all substitutions already used, forward Seifeddine Jaziri was forced to don the gloves, creating an extraordinary scenario in the dying minutes of a high-stakes continental tie.

Holding on under pressure

Sensing an opportunity, Otoho pushed forward relentlessly in search of a second goal that would have changed the outcome of the tie.

The visitors launched a series of attacks, attempting long-range efforts and crosses into the penalty area, testing Zamalek’s makeshift defensive setup.

Jaziri, now guarding the goal, was protected by a determined defensive effort as Zamalek players threw themselves into challenges and blocked attempts to preserve their advantage.

Seven minutes of added time felt like an eternity for the home supporters, but Zamalek managed to withstand the pressure and see out the match.