Wydad and Mamelodi Sundowns progress to the championship game of the African Football League

Wednesday, November 1, 2023 was the second leg of the African Football League semi-finals. Al Ahly were ousted by Mamelodi Sundowns (0-0), who joined Wydad in the final after defeating Esperance de Tunis (4-5) in a penalty shoot-out.

African Football League final: Wydad AC

Wydad AC had to defend their 1-0 home first leg win against Esperance de Tunis. From the start, the home team dominated. Oussama Bouguerra (10th), Yassine Meriah (20th), and Ghaith Ouahabi (27th) alternated breaking the Moroccan club’s stalemate. Rodrigues Silva (66th) scored after Bouguerra’s excellent cross. The fans inspired the Sang et Or to score again (88th) via the Brazilian, but he was disallowed for offside. After failing to resolve the match in regular time, the African Football League held its inaugural penalty shootout. Wydad was better at this, and Rodrigues Silva’s miss and Senegalese Bouly Junior Sambou’s shot sent Wydad to the final.

Sundowns destroy Al Ahly

The continent’s most successful club sought its first African Football League final. Al Ahly welcomed Mamelodi Sundowns with a one-goal advantage to make up. In Cairo, the evening started well with a penalty for Egypt when Ronwen Williams’ clearance unbalanced Percy Tau in the area. Ali Maaloul (12th) missed his shot and lost the opportunity to change the record. Al Ahly generated many chances with the help of the South African goalie, who was playing feverishly.

On a mistake, Mahmoud Kahraba struck the post. If not the keeper, Egyptian clumsiness. Percy Tau (30th) struck the crossbar from the opposing box. In a night of soccer gods, the Sundows kept their goal despite Junior Mendieta’s 84th-minute departure. The Brazilians performed well to join Wydad in the African Football League final.