Feature: Egypt's Al-Ahly fans fill street celebrating African Champions League win

2020-11-28 12:06:07 GMT2020-11-28 20:06:07(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

CAIRO, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Tens of thousands of supporters of Egypt's football giants Al-Ahly filled the streets across the country to celebrate their team's crowning as the African Champions League champions, beating Egyptian rivals Zamalek 2-1 in the final on Friday.

In the capital Cairo, flag-waving supporters took to the streets after midnight in celebration of winning a record-extending ninth CAF Champions League trophy, while hundreds of cars honked their horns with fans chanting victory slogans.

"I have waited for this moment for seven years ... I cannot believe that we have finally made it," Mohammed Samy, a 27-year-old fan told Xinhua as he celebrated with friends in Cairo's upscale Maadi district.

The young man said that this win is special because the competitor was Zamalek, Al-Alhy's bitter rival.

"Our happiness is doubled because we snatched the trophy in a match against Zamalek which makes it the most special title for us," he added as he waved an Al-Ahly flag before he got into his car and beeped the horns in celebration with other fans.

The final, played without fans for security reasons, looked to be a draw before Magdy Afsha scored a beauty to hand the Red Devils the coveted piece of silverware.

Al-Ahly had a perfect start as Amr Elsoulia scored six minutes after the kickoff whistle. In the 31st minute, Zamalek's experienced striker Shikabala score the equalizer for the White Knights

The attempts continued to swing in both ways as possession was balanced, but Al-Ahly tilted the scales to their favor a few minutes before the end of the game. The pressure was rewarded as Afsha scored the winner with four minutes left.

"This dream goal will always be remembered by Al-Ahly fans, we are very grateful to Afsha for scoring this rocket goal," Ibrahim Sayyed, another Al-Ahly fan told Xinhua, as he distributed sweets to his friends and neighbors in celebration of the win.

Sayyed, a supermarket owner, said he will make two-day discounts on specific items for Al-Ahly fans as a gesture from one of the Red Devils' loyalists.

Important football matches have been a major concern for security agencies in Egypt after riots left dozens dead in two incidents in 2012 and 2015, which prompted the government to ban spectators from domestic league matches as well as major continental soccer clashes.

Egyptian police beefed up presence across the country days ahead of the match to secure the streets before, during, and after the final.

Although the unplanned street celebrations of Al-Ahly fans were large and lasted until the early morning hours in some places, the day has passed peacefully without recording any riots or clashes among the fans of the two giants.

"Celebrating the win in a peaceful way is okay as it does not infuriate the fans of Zamalek," Mostafa Adnan, a fan of Zamalek told Xinhua as he watched the handing over of the trophy to Al-Ahly players at a cafe in Cairo.

Adnan noted that riots erupt when fans insult each other's teams, adding that this has not happened in recent years after the government banned fans from going to the stadiums.

"I congratulate Al-Ahly club and fans for the new title and I wish the good spirit will always prevail," the Zamalek supporter said. Enditem

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