- Al Ahly 2-1 Wydad Casablanca
Record holders Al Ahly edged their Moroccan counterparts Wydad Casablanca 2-1 in the first leg of this season’s CAF Champions League final in Cairo, Egypt.
Live wire striking force of Percy Tau, Hussein El Shahat and Karhaba starred once again and gave Al Ahly a two goal cushion which was later reduced by Saifeddine Bouhra in the closing stages.
Tau drew first blood with a header from El Shahat’s cross from the by line in the added four minutes of the halftime.
Karhaba made it 2-0 with a finish from another El Shahat assist which followed a goalkeeping howler by Youssef El Motie in the 59th minute.
Wydad pushed for a crucial away goal and almost got it from Morocco’s World Cup star Yahia Attiyat Allah in the 68th minute but his shot hit the lower post and went out begging.
Saifeddine Bouhra, who had replaced Zouhair El Moutaraji, pulled one back for the Moroccan giants in the 86th minute, two minutes after coming on.
The two sides will once again face off in the decisive second leg in Casablanca on Sunday 11th June with a lot to play for.
It should be remembered that Wydad Casablanca beat Al Ahly 2-0 in last year’s single legged final in Casablanca to win the 2021/22 crown.
Wydad are seeking their fourth title while Al Ahly want to achieve their record extending 11th title.
