Wydad Athletic Club Wins 2022 CAF Champions League
Zouheir El Moutaraji scored twice to hand Wydad Athletic Club a 2-0 win against defending champions Al Ahly, clinching the 2021/2022 CAF Champions League title at the Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca on Monday.
The forward, who missed the second leg of the semi final against Petro de Luanda due to suspension scored a goal in either half, handing Wydad its first title since 2017, when they coincidentally beat Al Ahly to lift the crown.
Wydad showed its intent from the start of the match as the fans in the packed Mohamed V Stadium spurred the team on with the title in their sights. Five minutes after Wydad struck the bar of the post, they took the lead courtesy of a wonder striker by El Moutaraji when Ahly lost the ball cheaply on the right wing.
After conceding, Al Ahly came alive and turned the game in its favour. In the 19th minute Ali Maaloul curled in an inviting ball to Hussein El Shahaat, but the latter’s effort at goal was picked out by the keeper.
Al Ahly were almost caught on the counter in the 31st minute when Yahya Jebrane picked the ball and fed Reda Jaadi, who slapped a low ball across to Guy Mbenza. However, his shot went wide, much to the relief of the Egyptian side. They continued to dominance, but couldn’t register a goal for their effort as the referee blew the halftime whistle.
Two minutes into the second half, a superb counter attack saw Jaadi race down the right flank before firing in a cross which was met by El Moutaraji. The in-form winger snuck in behind Mohamed Hany to tap the ball, but it was saved by Mohamed Elshenawy. However, El Moutaraji reacted fastest to fire in the rebound to extend Wydad’s lead.
Wydad came out more determined in the second half and they were rewarded as the goal lifted the stadium’s roof as the fans roared on and celebrated.
With a two goal burden to carry, Coach Mosimane threw caution out of the window, substituting Hussein El Shahaat for Magdy Afsha and Ahmed Abdelkader for Mohamed Sheriff. Defender Hany later came off for Salah Mohsen as Amr El Solia was brought in for Hamdi Fathi.
The offensive changes forced Wydad to defend from deep. Al Ahly had the chances as they piled on more pressure, but it never seemed to be their day as they couldn’t conjure a way back, their chase at history ending in a mirage in Casablanca.
KINGS. OF. AFRICA.@WACofficiel | #TotalEnergiesCAFCL
— TotalEnergies CAFCL – TotalEnergies CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) May 30, 2022
Morocco’s Wydad Athletic Club, who entered the match as the underdogs, were inspired to victory by the heroics of forward Zouhair El Moutaraji.
Ahly’s dream of becoming the first team to win three consecutive titles and clinching a record extending 11th were swept away. The hopes of a record-equaling fourth Champions League title for Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane also went the same way as he was outsmarted by Wydad coach Walid Regragui.
🎥 HIGHLIGHTS:
A goal each half of the game from Zouhair El Moutaraji secure the #TotalEnergiesCAFCL title for @WACofficiel vs. Al Ahly SC!@Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/uEJ6uYwBPA
— TotalEnergies CAFCL – TotalEnergies CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) May 30, 2022
Chidi Nwoke/CAF.
