May 25 marked a historical day in African soccer as Egyptian team Al Ahly won the CAF Champions League for a record-breaking 12th time.
It must be noted that the CAF Champions League is a different tournament than the UEFA Champions League, which the Roadrunner has been doing extensive coverage of through our final countdown series and whose final will be held on June 1st in England.
One way to understand it is that the CAF Champions League is the African equivalent of the European Champions League.
The tournament, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), was established in 1964 and is considered to be the most prestigious club competition in Africa. The CAF Champions League brings together clubs from various African countries to compete for the prestigious title of best team in Africa.
The competition typically begins with preliminary rounds, followed by group stages, then after a series of knockout rounds, it all culminates in a two-legged final to determine the champion.
Winning the CAF Champions League is a major achievement for any African club.
Winning the tournament brings not only bragging rights but also financial rewards, international recognition, and an invitation to represent Africa at the FIFA Club World Cup.
The 2024 CAF Champions League final saw Egyptian powerhouse and CAF Champions League record winners, Al Ahly, face Tunisian side Espérance Sportive de Tunis.
The first leg, held in Tunis, ended in a 0-0 draw.
The second leg played at Cairo International Stadium, saw Al Ahly triumph 1-0, securing their record-extending 12th title.
This momentous victory further solidifies Al Ahly’s status as Africa’s most dominant football club and greatly showcased the team’s resilience to perform under pressure.
Al Ahly’s consistent continental success has established the club as a powerhouse in the continent, and this win marks another significant milestone in the club’s illustrious history
. The 2024 CAF Champions League win demonstrates just how dominant Al Ahly are, and this record-breaking 12th championship only reaffirms the team’s position at the pinnacle of African club football, not that it was in question to begin with.
