A memorable moment.. Al Ahly triumphs over Cameroon’s Coton Sport in a penalty shootout on their path to African glory.
Today, October 20, marks the tenth anniversary of Al Ahly's qualification, under coach Mohamed Youssef, for the CAF Champions League final in 2013. They overcame Cameroon's Coton Sport in a thrilling penalty shootout, winning 7-6, after both legs ended in a 1-1 draw. This victory allowed the Red Devils to continue their quest to retain the continental title for the second consecutive year.
Abdallah El Said Opens the Scoring as Al Ahly Faces Coton's Equalizer
The second leg, held in El Gouna, saw a strong start from Al Ahly, with Abdallah El Said scoring just three minutes into the match, giving the Red team an early advantage as their fans hoped for a smooth path to the final.
However, the Cameroonian side, led by French coach Sébastien Desabre, managed to get back into the game when Alexis Yougouda netted the equalizer, complicating the match for both teams, especially after the first leg also ended in a 1-1 draw.
Both teams failed to secure qualification during regular time, leading to a tense penalty shootout, where the experience of Al Ahly's players ultimately decided the outcome in their favor.
Penalty Shootout Grants Al Ahly a Ticket to the Final
The penalty shootout favored Al Ahly, ending 7-6 in a match filled with nerve-wracking moments. Mohamed Aboutrika missed one penalty, but goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy played a crucial role in the team's qualification, saving two penalties from Coton Sport players.
Al Ahly's successful penalty takers included Walid Soliman, Wael Gomaa, Shehab Ahmed, Sayed Moawad, Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, Mohamed Nagy, and Ahmed Fathi, securing their place in the final amid great joy from the players and coaching staff.
This qualification underscored Al Ahly's ability to handle high-stakes matches, especially given the challenges of African competition and the strength of the Cameroonian team, which managed to hold the Red Devils to draws in both legs.
Al Ahly Faces Orlando Pirates and Becomes African Champion
After overcoming Coton Sport, Al Ahly set up a final clash with South Africa's Orlando Pirates in the 2013 CAF Champions League final, continuing their campaign to defend the continental title they had won in the previous edition.
Al Ahly successfully clinched the final, drawing 1-1 with Orlando Pirates in the first leg in South Africa, before winning 2-0 in the return leg in Cairo, securing the African title for the second consecutive time and adding another achievement to their illustrious record of continental trophies.
The encounter with Coton Sport remains one of the significant milestones in Al Ahly's journey to the 2013 title, as the team needed to secure qualification through penalties, showcasing the determination and experience that have long characterized the Red Devils in African competitions.
