Arab Teams Shine in African Champions League Qualification
In a significant display of talent and determination, several Arab football clubs have successfully secured their places in the Round of 32 of the African Champions League. Teams such as Al-Hilal and Al-Merrikh from Sudan, Zamalek from Egypt, and African Club from Tunisia, among others, have proven their mettle in this prestigious tournament, enhancing the representation of Arab football on the continental stage.
Al-Hilal and Al-Merrikh showcased their prowess in the qualifying rounds by defeating their respective opponents, Eagle Nawar from Burundi and Power Dynamos from Zambia. Al-Hilal triumphed with a 1-0 victory, cementing their qualification with an aggregate score of 3-0 after winning the first leg 2-0. Similarly, Al-Merrikh secured their spot by repeating their success against Power Dynamos with another 1-0 win, resulting in a total aggregate of 2-0 over the two legs.
Meanwhile, Zamalek continued their impressive form by overcoming AS Port from Djibouti in the 64th round of the competition. They delivered a commanding performance in the second leg, winning 4-0 at Cairo Stadium, which followed a narrow 2-1 victory in the first leg. Abdullah El-Said was the standout player, netting a hat-trick within the first 18 minutes, while Nasser Mansi capped off the scoring in stoppage time.
In a thrilling encounter, the Tunisian side, African Club, managed to secure a crucial away draw against Djoliba from Mali, finishing the match at 2-2. Despite falling behind twice, they equalized each time, allowing them to advance with a total score of 3-2 after winning the first leg 1-0.
Additionally, Moroccan champions, FUS Rabat, also progressed by drawing 0-0 with Rahimo from Burkina Faso, thus advancing with an aggregate score of 4-1. They capitalized on their strong performance in the first leg to ensure their progression.
Lastly, Mouloudia Algiers faced little resistance against Niger's Negeleck, winning decisively 5-0 in the second leg after a goalless draw in the first, thus securing their spot in the next round.
This successful qualification by multiple Arab teams not only underscores their growing dominance in African football but also sets the stage for exciting competitions ahead in the African Champions League.
As reported by alghad.com.
