Al Ahly claim ninth title in exceptional year
The 2019/2020 CAF Champions League was unique. After the Covid-19 pandemic halted football not only in Africa but the world over, the competition was suspended from March to October.
The tournament then resumed in exceptional circumstances during which matches were played behind closed doors, and ultimately it was Al Ahly of Egypt who emerged victorious to claim the ninth title in their history. FIFA takes a look back at the 2019/2020 CAF Champions League.
Road to Qatar 2020
Al Ahly kicked off their 2019/20 CAF Champions League campaign in the preliminary round by thrashing South Sudan’s Atlabara 13-0 on aggregate. The Red Devils then moved into the group stage after overcoming Kano Sport of Equatorial Guinea 6-0 on aggregate in the first round. They subsequently secured a place in the quarter-finals by finishing second in their group behind Etoile du Sahel in a section that also featured Platinum of Zimbabwe and Sudan’s Al Hilal.
In the last eight, Al Ahly took on 2016 champions Mamelodi Sundowns, prevailing 2-0 in Cairo before drawing 1-1 in Pretoria. The Cairo giants then faced Wydad Casablanca, registering a 2-0 win away from home before winning 3-1 in Cairo to cruise into the final against their arch-rivals Zamalek.
