ABU DHABI – Al-Ahly clinched the 2023 Egyptian Super Cup for the 14th time after defeating Modern Future 4-2 victory in the final played at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Striker Mahmoud Abdel-Moneim ‘Kahraba’ and winger Hussein el-Shahat grabbed first-half goals in the 13th and 35th minutes respectively to hand the African champions a two-goal lead, but coach Marcel Koller’s side was rattled after South African winger Percy Tau was substituted in the 76th minute,
Forward Omar el-Said and midfielder Mohamed Mahmoud scored two quick goals for Future deep into the second-half to ensure that the game ended in a 2-2 draw in regulation time and extra-time followed.
However, the Red Devils were the better side in extra-time as they netted twice through French striker Anthony Modeste and winger Karim Fouad which saw Al-Ahly emerge as 4-2 winners.
It is the third successive Egyptian Super Cup win for Al-Ahly.
The cup triumph comes a few days after Al-Ahly clinched the bronze medals in the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Tau scored as the Cairo giants defeated Asian champions Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan in the third-place off match last week.
Tau has now won seven major trophies with Al-Ahly since he joined the Red Devils from Brighton and Hove Albion in August 2021.
His trophy cabinet now shines with two CAF Champions League titles, two CAF Super Cups, an Egyptian Premier League title, a FIFA Club World Cup bronze medal, and most recently, the Egyptian Super Cup.
Tau’s impact extends beyond mere silverware. His on-field leadership and dazzling attacking prowess have endeared him to the passionate Al-Ahly faithful.
His performance in the Egyptian Super Cup final, where he was a menace to the Modern Future defence, epitomised the importance of his role to the team’s success.
He has scored six goals in 18 appearances across all competitions this season. The 29-year-old recently became the first South African to win the CAF Inter-Club Player of the Year award.
He edged Mamelodi Sundowns’ Namibian goal machine Peter Shalulile and DR Congo forward Fiston Mayele of Egyptian club Pyramids FC.
He will shift his focus to the AFCON that roars to life on January 16, 2024, in Ivory Coast. The former Sundowns attacker was named in the final 23-man squad that will do battle for Bafana at AFCON.
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