CAF Champions League
WYDAD TO APPEAL CAF’S DECISION ON CHAMPIONS’ LEAGUE
The dust may not have completely settled on the 2019 CAF Champions League final, which ended controversially. Following the inconclusive return leg match of Esperance of Tunisia and Wydad Athletic of Morocco, the trophy was awarded to Esperance following the refusal of Wydad to continue on the ground of a disputed goal.
CAF days later, reversed itself and ordered a replay. Both teams disputed the decision and filed different appeals at Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).
The appeal of Esperance was upheld and ruled as the valid winner of the competition. CAF later accepted the verdict and imposed fine on the Moroccan side.
According to reports from Morocco, Wydad is planning to appeal the decision. The club is however believed not to have the backing of the Moroccan football governing body (FRMF).
The governing body of Moroccan Club Wydad of Casablanca, headed by Said Naciri has decided to appeal the disciplinary ruling made by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday.
Wydad Casablanca has prepared an appeal file claiming the disciplinary board’s decision is invalid. The committee ruled that Wydad “withdrew” from the second leg of the African Champions League final. Wydad claims that they were forced to end the match due to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) not working.
WAC argue that the disciplinary board is not the body competent to issue a ruling about the case, adding that this falls under the remit of CAF’s Organising Committee for Inter-Club Competitions and Management of Club Licensing Systems.
In the appeal WAC officials question CAF’s decision to rule in favor of Esperance, saying that the ruling goes against FIFA rules.
Moroccan newspaper Al Massae reported on Friday, that FRMF has withdrawn its support for WAC’s case. There was no FRMF representative present during the CAF meeting, while WAC was represented by president Naciri and a small delegation.
The CAF’s Disciplinary Board decided to rule in favor of the Tunisian club, Esperance de Tunis (EST), declaring WAC loser in the second leg of the Champions’ League final. The ruling, however, contradicts the initial decision to strip EST from the title, ordering the team to return the cup and the medals.
Egypt’s Pyramids claimed a deserved 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa. This led to a 3-2 aggregate success. They celebrated their first African Champions League title. This triumph occurred following the second leg of this year’s final at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday.
The first leg in Pretoria finished 1-1. Fiston Mayele gave Pyramids the lead on 23 minutes. He profited from a Sundowns defensive error. Ahmed Samy doubled the advantage on 56 minutes. He scored with a header from a free-kick.
Sundowns pulled a goal back through Iqraam Rayners with 15 minutes remaining. One more goal would have given them victory in the tie on the away goals rule. However, Pyramids held firm despite heavy pressure from the visitors.
Pyramids are the fourth Egyptian side to lift the Champions League trophy after record 12-time winners Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily. Meanwhile, 2016 champions Sundowns head to this month’s Club World Cup in the United States on a low note.
-Reuters
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- 1. Pyramids aim to become the first new CAF Champions League winner since Sundowns (2016), the 13th in the modern era, and the 27th overall.
- 2. This is the 19th Champions League-era final featuring an Egyptian club. Previous teams (Al Ahly 10, Zamalek 1) have won 11 titles.
- 3. Including the pre-Champions League era, this is the 29th final for an Egyptian club, with 18 wins and 10 losses.
- 4. Pyramids have played only 1 of their last 9 matches at home but are unbeaten in their last 23 home games this season (W19 D4) and last 28 overall (W24 D4).
- 5. Pyramids scored in 22 of 23 home games this season; the only blank was a 0-0 draw vs Al Masry.
- 6.This season, they’ve won all 7 home matches, scoring 26 and conceding 6, with one clean sheet. In total, they’ve lost just 1 of 11 home matches in the competition.
- 7. Fiston Mayele leads with 8 goals in 12 matches (5 since group stage); Ibrahim Adel has 6 (also 5 post-group stage).
- 8. Ramadan Sobhi has 5 assists in 9 games (joint-most), plus 2 goals. He’s had major impact off the bench twice.
- 9. Askary Chibi has created 20 chances since the group stage — the most for Pyramids.
- 10. Pyramids have kept 3 clean sheets this season, all away, but remain dominant at home
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- 1. Sundowns are in their third CAF Champions League final (2001, 2016, 2024).
- 2. South African Record: First South African club to reach three finals, surpassing Orlando Pirates (2).
- 3. Sundowns hosted the first leg in all three finals. In 2001, they drew 1-1 at home and lost 2-0 away to Al Ahly.
- 4. Sundowns beat Zamalek 3-0 at home, lost 1-0 away, and won 3-1 on aggregate.
- 5. Sundowns have never scored in an away leg of a Champions League final, conceding five in total.
- 6. The current final marks the second time Sundowns led at home and failed to win (also in 2001).
- 7. A defeat would make Sundowns the first South African side to lose two finals.
- 8. Sundowns are unbeaten in their last 10 matches vs Egyptian opposition (4wins and 6 draws).
- 9. Sundowns are unbeaten in their last 4 visits to Egypt (2 wins and 2 draws).
- 10. A win would make Sundowns the first team since Al Ahly (2012) to win the title after failing to win the home leg.
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