- Al Ahly beat Modern Future in Extra time
- They had just won bronze at the FIFA Club World Cup
- Ahly is the most successful club in Africa
Al Ahly have added yet another feather to their decorated Cup, winning the Egyptian Super Cup after a 4-2 victory over Modern Future FC. This comes just days after winning bronze at the FIFA Club World Cup in Jeddah.
The Red Devils started the game off strongly, scoring two goals inside the opening 35 minutes. The first came when Ali Maaloul’s corner was headed home by Mahmoud Kahraba, while the latter assisted Hussein El Shahat who made it 2-0, rounding off a wonderful team move in the process.
Al Ahly were in cruise control of the game even well into the second-half, missing a myriad of chances, with the most notable being Percy Tau who latched onto Mohamed Hany’s through ball before blasting it over the crossbar.
But, Modern Future mounted a late comeback that threatened to derail Ahly’s title charge. They pulled one back in the 76th minute when goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir’s clearance came off Omar El Said from close range.
They then completed the comeback, making it 2-2 five minutes later, when ex-Ahly man Mohamed Mahmoud’s long-range shot deflected off Ahmed Nabil Kouka.
With the game ending 2-2 in normal time, the game went to extra-time, and the hero of the hour was striker Anthony Modeste, who was recently signed from Borussia Dortmund.
He made it 3-2 with seven minutes on the clock, heading home Maaloul’s pinpoint cross on the left, before assisting the fourth goal, which was rounded off beautifully by Karim Fouad.
Al Ahly also clinch Club World Cup bronze
Al Ahly celebrate after winning bronze at the Club World Cup
Earlier on, the record African champions had secured a bronze medal finish at the FIFA Club World Cup after a brilliant, well worked 4-2 victory over Urawa Reds in the third and fourth play-off match in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The Japanese side had come from two goals down to tie the game at 2-2, but Ahly managed to revive their fight to clinch the tie in a six goal thriller.
The Egyptian champions got off to a bright start in the first half and capitalised on two errors to score two goals in quick succession through Yasser Ibrahim and Percy Tau.
However, their hard work was undone as Urawa quickly responded with Jose Kante pulling one back before Alexander Scholz converted from the spot after a handball inside the box to bring back the game on level terms after the break.
But, Ahly put in a shift to once again get their groove going and were 3-2 up minutes later when Ali Maaloul’s cross was diverted by Urawa defender Yoshio Koizumi into his own net.
Maaloul then wrapped up the victory for the Red Devils in stoppage time with a superb freekick to hand them the victory and a bronze medal from the global showpiece.
Rwanda’s Rayon name new coach
Guy Bukasa is the new Rayon Sports coach
In other developments in African football, Rwandese top flight club AS Kigali have named Congolese tactician Guy Bukasa as their new head coach, taking over from Andre Casa Mbungo. The 36-year old tactician will fill the void left by Mbungo after he resigned at the end of November.
Mbungo joined Kigali midway through last season after departing Kenyan side Bandari FC and led them to continental football in his first season after they triumphed in the Peace Cup. However, when things couldn’t go as planned, the veteran tactician departed his role.
His erstwhile assistant Shaban Mbarushimana had been acting in that position.
Bukasa is expected to revive the dwindling fortunes of the club and lift them back to the higher ranks of the league table. The club now sits 15th on the league table with 15 points after 15 games of the first round.
Bukasa is not new to Rwandan football having previously coached Rayon Sports and Gasogi United.
He also coached the DR. Congo national U20 and 21 and he had stints with the senior national team as assistant coach. His first assignment will be on January 13, 2024 when they visit Bugesera FC in Nyamata.
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