Aboutrika spurs Ahli to 5th title
Nov 12, 2006
CAIRO - Mohamed Aboutrika scored a stunning volley two minutes into stoppage time to hand Al Ahli of Egypt the African Champions League title on Saturday. They beat CS Sfaxien of Tunisia 1-0 in the second leg of the final.
CAIRO - Mohamed Aboutrika scored a stunning volley two minutes into stoppage time to hand Al Ahli of Egypt the African Champions League title on Saturday. They beat CS Sfaxien of Tunisia 1-0 in the second leg of the final.
Aboutrika's goal, shot from the edge of the penalty area as he ran on to a flick-on from Angola international Flavio, snatched the title away from their Tunisian hosts who had been on course to win the trophy for the first time.
A goalless draw would have been enough to give Sfaxien the title on the away goals rule but Aboutrika broke the deadlock to silence a 52,000-strong crowd.
Al Ahli won the tie 2-1 on aggregate and took the Champions League title for a record-equalling fifth time.
They became only the third club in more than 40 years to successfully defend the title and will go to the World Club Cup in Japan next month.
Aboutrika's goal was his eighth of the competition, to finish as joint leading goal-scorer in this year's Champions League.
Ends
Aboutrika's goal, shot from the edge of the penalty area as he ran on to a flick-on from Angola international Flavio, snatched the title away from their Tunisian hosts who had been on course to win the trophy for the first time.
A goalless draw would have been enough to give Sfaxien the title on the away goals rule but Aboutrika broke the deadlock to silence a 52,000-strong crowd.
Al Ahli won the tie 2-1 on aggregate and took the Champions League title for a record-equalling fifth time.
They became only the third club in more than 40 years to successfully defend the title and will go to the World Club Cup in Japan next month.
Aboutrika's goal was his eighth of the competition, to finish as joint leading goal-scorer in this year's Champions League.
Ends