Mosimane not targeting personal glory as Ahly chase CL title

Ahram Online , Friday 27 May 2022

Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane will equal Manuel Jose's record of winning four African Champions League titles should his team beat Wydad Casablanca in Monday's final, but the South African said he is not out for personal glory.

Pitso Mosimane
File photo of Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane (Photo: the club s official website)

The Red Devils are one step away from becoming the first team in Africa to win a hat-trick of successive Champions League crowns as they meet Wydad at their Mohammed V Stadium in a one-off final.

Mosimane was at the helm when Ahly won the past two editions, beating bitter Cairo rivals Zamalek 2-1 in 2020 and crushing South Africa's Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 last year.

He also led South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns to the coveted title when they beat Zamalek 3-1 on aggregate in the 2016 final.

Jose, an Ahly icon, is the only boss to have put his hands on the trophy four times, winning the title in 2001, 2005, 2006 and 2008.

"Achieving the title for the third time in a row is not easy, but I and the players are not looking for personal glory," Mosimane was quoted as saying on the club's official website on Friday.

"We represent Al-Ahly club with its great history, and we are seeking to add a new championship to the African Club of the Century."

Mosimane and the team's skipper Mohamed El-Shennawi, Ahly's ever-reliable goalkeeper, have both appealed for fan support.

Ahly are allocated 10,000 tickets, with the club hoping their passionate supporters can play a crucial role in levelling things up in the stands.

The Cairo giants protested in vain against the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) decision to stage the game at Wydad's venue, arguing that it violates fair play standards.

CAF said Morocco was the only bidder to host the final after Senegal had pulled out.

"We are waiting for the great Al-Ahly fans to support us in this final match, and we hope that God will help us make them happy with a new title," El-Shennawi said.

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