Egypt's Al Ahly players celebrate with the trophy after winning their Africa Super Cup soccer match against Tunisia's CS Sfaxien at Cairo Stadium February 20, 2014 (Photo: Reuters)
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) issued an official statement on Monday confirming that Egyptian giants Ahly have overtaken Italian side AC Milan as the club with the most internationally-recognised titles.
Ahly were given their sixth African Super Cup title on Thursday, the club's 19th international trophy, a blow for AC Milan's officials who regularly claim that the Italian club's 18 international trophies make it the most successful club worldwide.
Ahly have won eight Champions League titles, four African Winners Cups, six African Super Cups and one Afro-Asian Cup.
CAF's statement was issued to stop the debate concerning the number of Ahly's glories, which was sparked on Saturday after Milan vice-president and CEO Adriano Galliani said that his side would look into Ahly's past achievements to determine their authenticity.
"We will evaluate whether their trophies are all approved. If we find that this is true, we will still remain the most titled club in Europe," Galliani was quoted as saying by Italian daily Corriere della Sera.
CAF President Issa Hayatou was eager to congratulate Ahly for their achievement, describing it as positive for African football.
"Congratulations to Ahly on this historic achievement. CAF is proud of this record that puts Africa on the world map yet again," Hayatou was quoted as saying by CAF's official website on Monday.
"This is a positive sign that African football has come of age and it will encourage other clubs to do more," he added.
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