Casablanca (AFP)
The final match of the African Champions League football competition will be marked by special duels between the Egyptian Al-Ahly players seeking to write history by winning the third title in a row and the eleventh in their rich history, and the Moroccan Wydad Casablanca stars aspiring to grab the third cup.
While the final of the “Mohammed V” stadium in Casablanca, tomorrow “Monday”, combines two teams that have shown stability in the competition in the last decade, special confrontations emerge between the stars of the two teams in the exciting match stadium.
Egyptian international goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawy (33 years) is considered one of the most prominent goalkeepers of the continent, and has contributed to crowning the “Century Club” in the past two titles. The African Nations Cup, El-Shennawy was a backup for Sherif Ekrami in the 2017 final, which was won by Wydad.
Moroccan international goalkeeper Ahmed Reda Teknaoui (26 years) is no less important than El-Shennawy at the continental level, as he participated in all 12 matches this season, where Wydad won 8 of them, drew twice and lost the same.
Tunisian international left-back Ali Maaloul (32 years old) is one of the winning cards with Al-Ahly, he missed once once morest Moroccan Raja in the first leg of the quarter-final due to injury, and scored one goal, knowing that he is the team’s top scorer in the Egyptian League by scoring 6 goals, the last of which is a double in the goal Enppi last week, and in total, the Tunisian star played 26 matches with his team in all competitions this season, scoring seven goals and making six.
On the other hand, the coach of the Bosnian Morocco national team, Vahid Halilhodzic, renewed the call of full-back Yahya Attia Allah (27 years) to the “Atlas Lions” squad, in sympathy with the great brilliance with his team Wydad at all levels this season. The former Olympique Safi player, who went through an experience in the Greek league with Volos, is one of the pillars of coach Walid Kerraki’s defensive squad, as he is known for his seriousness in playing and his great commitment to his duties on the field, as well as his distinguished interventions. He scored a goal in the first leg of the semi-finals with a goal. Petro Atlético de Angola in Luanda, and poses a great danger in the left arcade, as it is characterized by accuracy in cross balls, whether from movement or from set-pieces.
Amr Al-Sulayya plays a pivotal role in Al-Ahly’s midfield, and therefore is a key pillar in Mosimane’s squad due to his great experience. Al-Sulayya, 33, presented a constant level throughout the season, especially in the Champions League, as he participated in ten matches, during which he scored one goal. He recently returned from a muscle injury following missing two matches for Al-Ahly, amid anticipation of his readiness.
For his part, Yahya Gibran (30 years old) is the main contributor to Wydad’s brilliance locally and continentally this season, which necessitated his inclusion in the Moroccan national team. He has high defensive and offensive skills that he acquired as a result of his professionalism in futsal, where he started his sports career with the team of his city of Settat as well as with the Moroccan national team, before joining Raja Beni Mellal, then MC Oujda, and Hassania Agadir. He had a professional experience with Dibba Al-Fujairah of the UAE, before joining Wydad three years ago, and continentally, scoring 5 goals in 11 meetings and passing a decisive ball.
In the midfield as well, he stands out with Al-Ahly Hamdi Fathi (27 years old), nicknamed “the owner of the three lungs” due to his combativeness and strong tackles and cutting balls, as well as high passing accuracy, especially in rebounds.
On the Wydad side, central captain Ayman Al-Hassouni (27 years), who has offensive tasks as a playmaker, stands out. He occupied a key position in coach Walid Rekraki’s squad, known for his skill in the midfield and playing several offensive and defensive roles. He scored one goal and assisted three.
South African Percy Tao, 28, confirmed that he was a successful deal by all accounts for Al-Ahly, and thus coach Mosimane won the bet on his compatriot, especially following the clear brilliance in the two matches once morest Algeria’s ES Setif in the semi-finals, where he scored two goals and made four. In total, he scored 3 goals and assisted five in nine matches during the continental championship. Tao imposed himself in place of the international Mohamed Sharif, and he will be the offensive pillar of the team in the final, in addition to his mastery of the defensive roles, and the coach of the South African team, Belgium, Hugo Bruce, called him once more to the “Bafana Bafana” squad.
The Congolese Wydad attack is led by Guy Mbenza (22 years), following joining the team early this season from Antwerp, Belgium, and he quickly established himself in the Regragui squad.
Mpensa is a classic spearhead who can finish attacks with his feet and head, and move without a ball to confuse defenders. He has emerged with Wydad since the group stage, scoring three goals and passing a decisive ball.
