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The 59th edition of Africa's premier club concluded on Sunday when Al Ahly defeated Moroccan rivals and previous defending champions, Wydad Casablanca, 3-2 on aggregate to win their 11th and record-extending CAF Champions League title.
The 59th edition of Africa's premier club concluded on Sunday when Al Ahly defeated Moroccan rivals and previous defending champions, Wydad Casablanca, 3-2 on aggregate to win their 11th and record-extending CAF Champions League title.
This article looks at Africa's most successful sides in the CAF Champions League since its inception in 1964.
Al Ahly SC (Egypt) - 11 titles
Al Ahly's first CAF Champions League triumph came in 1982 when they defeated Ghana's Asante Kotoko in the final.
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Since then, they have consistently been a force in African football. One of their most memorable campaigns was in 2005, when they clinched their fifth title.
Led by coach Manuel José, Al Ahly went undefeated throughout the tournament and overcame fierce competition from clubs like Esperance (Tunisia) and Enyimba (Nigeria) to win the championship.
This achievement marked the beginning of a dominant era for Al Ahly in which they secured several more titles, winning three of the last four competitions, with the latest being on Sunday with a 3-2 aggregate win against Wydad Casablanca.
Zamalek SC (Egypt) - 5 titles
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Zamalek's most successful period in the CAF Champions League came in the 1990s.
In 1993, under the guidance of legendary coach Mahmoud El-Gohary, Zamalek won their first continental title.
They showcased an impressive attacking style of play led by stars like Hossam Hassan and Ibrahim Hassan.
Zamalek's second triumph came in 1996 when they defeated South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns in a thrilling final.
The club added three more titles to their collection in subsequent years, with their most recent victory in 2002.
TP Mazembe (DR Congo) - 5 titles
TP Mazembe's recent success has made them one of the dominant forces in African football.
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Their first CAF Champions League victory came in 1967 when they became the first Congolese team to win.
They had to wait over four decades for their successive triumph, which came in 2009.
TP Mazembe's 2009 campaign was remarkable as they advanced to the final, defeating solid teams such as Al Hilal (Sudan) and Heartland FC (Nigeria).
In the final, they secured a convincing victory over Nigeria's Nigerian Heartland to clinch their third title.
They went on to win two more titles in consecutive years (2009 and 2010), establishing themselves as a dominant force in African club football.
Esperance de Tunis( Tunisia)- 4 titles
Esperance de Tunis, a renowned Tunisian club, has enjoyed success in the CAF Champions League. They have secured the prestigious title four times.
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In 1994, under coach Mahmoud El-Gohary, Esperance de Tunis claimed their maiden title, defeating Mamelodi Sundowns in the final.
In 2011, coached by Nabil Maâloul, they clinched their second title by overcoming Wydad Casablanca.
The club successfully defended their title in 2018 under Mouine Chaabani, although the victory was marred by controversy.
In 2019, they again sealed their fourth title by defeating Wydad Casablanca.
Throughout their title-winning campaigns, Esperance de Tunis showcased skill, tactical discipline, and resilience, with notable contributions from players such as Adel Sellimi, Oussama Darragi, and Anice Badri.
These achievements solidify their status as one of Africa's top clubs in the history of the CAF Champions League.
Hafia FC (Guinea) - 3 titles
Hafia FC enjoyed a golden era in the 1970s, winning three consecutive CAF Champions League titles from 1972 to 1977.
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Led by Guinean coach Titi Camara, Hafia FC showcased an attacking style of play that captivated fans.
Their triumph in 1972 marked the first-ever CAF Champions League title for a Guinean team.
Hafia FC's success during this period was fueled by talented players such as Abdoulaye Keita, Petit Sory, and Papa Camara, who played crucial roles in their title-winning campaigns.
Enyimba International FC (Nigeria) - 2 titles
Enyimba's back-to-back triumphs in 2003 and 2004 established them as a force to be reckoned with in African club football.
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Coached by Kadiri Ikhana, Enyimba's success in 2003 was particularly impressive as they defeated clubs like Wydad Casablanca (Morocco) and Al Hilal (Sudan) on their way to the final.
In the final, they faced Ismaily SC (Egypt) and secured a 2-1 aggregate victory to become the first Nigerian team to win the CAF Champions League.
10:27 - 12.06.2023
CAF CL FINAL Al Ahly stop Wydad to clinch a record-extending eleventh CAF CL crown
With Ahly leading the tie 2-1, the game came to life in the 27th minute when Yahia Attiyat Allah curled home a freekick from the right wing to level the tie at 2-2 and send the capacity home crowd into wild celebrations.
Enyimba successfully defended their title the following year, defeating Tunisia's Étoile du Sahel in a thrilling final.
The team featured notable players such as Muri Ogunbiyi, Emeka Nwanna, and Onyekachi Okonkwo, who played pivotal roles in their historic achievements.
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