Zamalek edged Al Ahly in an epic all-Egyptian battle in the 2024 CAF Super Cup final at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Friday.
Egypt’s two biggest football clubs entered into the game looking to get one over the other but reigning CAF Confederation Cup winners, Zamalek, clinched the CAF Super Cup title with a 4-3 win on penalties over reigning CAF Champions League winners, Al Ahly, following a 1-1 stalemate after regulation time.
The White Knights, who clinched their fifth Super Cup title and their first since 2020, scored all of their penalties in the shootout, while eight-time winners Al Ahly managed to convert three of their five attempts.
🏆 𝗙𝗜𝗙𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗟𝗘 🏆
⚪ @ZSCOfficial are the 2024 #TotalEnergiesCAFSC champions in Riyadh! ⚪ pic.twitter.com/xVWVedMMdj
— TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) September 27, 2024
The game at the Kingdom Arena had all of the expected tension as Al Ahly looked the hungrier side from the blast of the whistle with the Red Devils breaking the deadlock in the 44th minute through Wessam Abou Ali’s spot-kick.
The Egyptian forward calmly slotted his penalty past goalkeeper Mohamed Awad, sending the ball down the middle of the goal after a VAR review confirmed a foul on Akram Tawfik by Zamalek defender Hamza Mathlouthi.
The second half was much different as Zamalek looked to have awaken from their early slumber as they continued to mount pressure on Al Ahly’s rearguard. They finally found answers to their questions thanks to a 77th minute goal from substitute Naser Mansy.
The 26-year-old forward, who had been on the field for just one minute, got on the end of a well-timed cross from Omar Gaber to draw Zamalek level in the game with about 13 more minutes left to play.
The equaliser made for a nervy ending to the game as both teams came close to jumping into the lead. However, it ended in a stalemate after regulation time and on came penalties to decide the victor.
In the shootout, Al Ahly opted to kick first, and the two sides each converted their first two attempts. However, Moroccan defender Yahia Attiyat Allah missed Al Ahly’s third spot-kick, while Zamalek scored theirs.
The next attempts from both teams were converted and with it being the last kick for Al Ahly, the pressure was on Abou Ali to convert his attempt to keep the Red Devils’ hopes alive. It wasn’t to be, however, as the forward, who scored a penalty during regular time, was denied by the post in the shoot-out, handing Zamalek the win.
The outcome of the tensely contested match meant the White Knights secured their second continental win over their arch-rivals, to begin their season with a trophy.
CHAMPIONS! 🏆@ZSCOfficial | @Football2Gether | #TotalEnergiesCAFSC pic.twitter.com/rBEsJBqhU7
— TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) September 27, 2024
