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The Independent Observer > Sports > Caf Super Cup: Al Ahly beat Raja Casablanca on penalties to retain trophy

Caf Super Cup: Al Ahly beat Raja Casablanca on penalties to retain trophy

Al Ahly retained the Confederation of African Football (Caf) Super Cup after beating Raja Casablanca on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Qatar.

The Moroccans had looked set to lift the trophy after taking the lead in the 13th minute, but Taher Mohamed’s last-minute equaliser sent the game to spot kicks.

A high-quality shoot-out went to sudden death after both sides netted their first five attempts, with the keepers barely having a chance to make a save.

But, with the score at 6-5, Raja defender Abdelilah Madkour lifted his effort narrowly over the crossbar to hand Al Ahly their record eighth Super Cup.

The Egyptian heavyweights had reached the final in Doha after lifting the African Champions League title for the 10th time.

“I must thank the players, my technical team and the supporters,” Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane said.

“We did practise penalties and took the penalties the very same way we practised.

“It was tough but we thought it was going to be like this. Raja played to delay the game but we are Al Ahly and we have the spirit.”

Al Ahly have the chance to add intercontinental sliverware to their African title when they play in the Fifa Club World Cup in February next year.

However, the dates for the tournament clash with the final stages of the Africa Cup of Nations, when many of their key players could still be on duty with Egypt.

 BBC