Final date for familiar foes
There will be a distinctly familiar look to the forthcoming CAF Champions League final after Al Ahly and Etoile Sahel won at the weekend to book their places in the competition’s decider. This will, after all, be the Egyptian giants’ third successive final, while their formidable Tunisian opponents are competing in their third final in the last four years. The pair met two years ago, with Ahly running out comfortable 3-0 aggregate winners, but the title finale this time around looks likely to prove considerably closer if the evidence of the semi-final performances is anything to go by.
Etoile Sahel were the first to secure their berth, up-and-coming international striker Amine Chermiti once again proving that he is a force to be reckoned with at the highest level. Already singled out by Roger Lemerre as a key player in Tunisia’s international future, the 19-year-old Chermiti more than justified his burgeoning reputation with two flying headed goals that proved decisive in the semi-final second leg against Sudan’s Al Hilal on Saturday.
Etoile were 2-1 down from the first leg in Omdurman last month but very quickly set about reversing that deficit. Chermiti had Etoile level after just 13 minutes with an opportunistic strikers’ effort, sneaking it at the back post to acrobatically convert Mehdi Meriah’s free-kick from a tight angle and send the tightly-packed crowd at Sousse’s Olympic stadium into raptures.
A goalmouth melee early in the second half saw Etoile extend their lead. It needed television replays to sort out the identity of the scorer as more than one player turned to claim responsibility, but when the dust had settled the final touch was attributed to Sadat Bukari, the Ghanaian Etoile bought in June; a player who has taken some time to settle in to his new surroundings.
The Tunisians looked to be comfortably on their way but a rare defensive error allowed Ndubuisi Eze to net one of his trademark goals, pulling away from his marker and squeezing home a sweet left-footed shot with 30 minutes remaining. That left the tie heading for extra-time until Chermiti once again proved himself to be a man for the big occasion with another header, this time from point-blank range. The goal ensured a 3-1 home win for Etoile Sahel and a 4-3 aggregate triumph.
“I am a coach fulfilled,” said the Tunisians’ French boss, Bertrand Marchand after the game. “It was strong display that saw my players earn their success, scoring three times against Al Hilal, who were expected to be a very difficult opponent. We needed a lot of mastery, lucidity, intelligence and determination to get past a tough Sudanese defence. They were a well organised side.”
Holders squeeze through
In Cairo, meanwhile, Marchand’s Ah Ahly counterpart Manuel Jose had to endure a few nail-biting moments before his side overcame Al Ittihad of Tripoli in their own semi-final tie.
Over three hours of football, just one goal decided it, and even that was an own goal, one which came 20 minutes into Sunday’s second leg tie in Cairo. In attempting to clear, Al Ittihad defender Hamadi Shabaan did not rise high enough and instead of diverting away a free-kick from Gilberto, he instead glanced the ball past his own goalkeeper. It was a cruel blow for a player who had been a pillar of strength for Al Ittihad throughout their unexpected march to the last four, the best performance yet achieved by the Libyan club.
In truth, Al Ahly outplayed their opponent in both legs and always looked as if they would be able to raise their game by a gear or two if they found themselves in trouble. They did, however, lose their composure in the last five minutes when Al Ittihad suddenly found a last burst of energy in a desperate search for an equaliser that would have sent them through on the away goals rule. Only after a few nervous moments did the holders cling on to victory.
The first leg of the final is to be played in Sousse on 27 or 28 October, with the return leg scheduled to take place in Cairo a fortnight later. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is to fix the exact date and time in the coming days. The CAF Champions League winner goes on to represent their continent at December’s FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.
Source:Soccer News
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