Egypt’s Al Ahly won its second straight CAF Super Cup on Wednesday in Qatar, defeating 2020-21 CAF Confederation Cup winners Raja Casablanca in a penalty kick shootout after the teams played to a 1-1 draw in regulation. Taher Mohamed’s late equalizer for Ahly sent the match to penalties, where both teams were perfect from the spot until Raja’s Abdelilah Madkour sent his kick high over the goal to clinch Ahly’s victory. With the victory, Al Ahly wins their record eighth CAF Super Cup.
While Ahly dominated possession throughout the match, an opportunistic Raja side took advantage of an excellent start to put the 2020-21 CAF Champions League winners on their heels. In the 13th minute, a pass from the midfield sent Raja full back Madkour into space on the right wing behind the defense. Madkour advanced in on goal from the wing and his attempted cross was deflected past advancing Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy. Raja forward Hamid Ahadad was there to apply the final touch into an empty net just before the ball crossed the goal line.
Following the early goal, Ahly proceeded to dominate the match as Raja settled into a defensive posture to hold onto the lead. Raja managed to hold out for a long stretch due to the defense doing well in frustrating the Ahly attack as well as excellent goalkeeping from veteran Anas Zniti. Ahly manager Pitso Mosimane started bringing on attack minded substitutes at halftime to bring more numbers forward.
A couple of Mosimane’s changes would give Ahly the leveler they desperately needed late in the second half. In the 89th minute, halftime substitute Mohamed Sherif found room on the left flank and got a cross in. Mohamed Magdy “Afsha” connected with a volleyed shot in the penalty area that was well saved by Zniti, but the rebound remained around the six-yard box. Percy Tau collected the rebound near the far post and cut the ball back to Taher Mohamed, who managed to find a spot and put his shot past Zniti and a group of charging Raja defenders to equalize.
The late Ahly goal gave the Egyptian side plenty of momentum heading into the penalty shootout, with no extra time periods being played. Neither goalkeeper had a chance on the first five spot kicks they faced, with the penalty takers in good form on the day. After Ahly right back Akram Tawfik converted his kick on Ahly’s sixth attempt, it was up to young Raja full back Madkour to keep his team in contention. However, the 21-year-old got under his kick and the ball flew into the stands, sparking an ecstatic celebration from the Ahly team and its traveling support.
Highlights of the match are followed by the full penalty kick shootout down below.
Highlights: Al Ahly 1-1 Raja Casablanca
Al Ahly wins penalty kick shootout 6-5
