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Al Ahly were crowned 2020/21 Caf Super Cup champions after securing a 2-0 win over RS Berkane at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Friday evening.
Two second-half goals from Mohamed Sherif and Salah Mohsen inspired the Egyptian champions to a well-deserved victory over their Moroccan opponents.
Al Ahly were brimming with confidence having booked their place in this season’s Caf Champions League semi-finals after defeating South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 on aggregate last weekend.
Coach Pitso Mosimane named a strong starting line-up with Mohamed El Shenawy keeping his place in goal, while Aliou Dieng was partnered with Amr Al Sulaya in midfield and Sherif led the attack.
On the other hand, Berkane were looking to return to winning ways having failed to win their last two matches, against Rapide Oued Zem and Maghreb Fes in the Moroccan Botola League.
Burkina Faso international Issoufou Dayo led the defence for Juan Pedro’s side, while experienced attackers Hamdi Laachir and Mouhssine Iajour started upfront.
Al Ahly dominated possession from the first whistle with Dieng pulling the strings from midfield and he was looking to unlock Berkane’s tight defence with some defence-splitting passes.
However, the Oranges’ backline which was marshalled by Dayo, was able to make some important interventions and clearances which frustrated the likes of Sherif, Mohamed Magdi Kadisha and Taher Mohamed.
Berkane grew in confidence as the game progressed and they had an opportunity to open the scoring when Mohamed Farehane found himself in a one-on-one situation with El Shenawy.
Somehow Farehane hit the side-netting and the Red Devils survived a scare and the score was 0-0 at half-time, following a first-half which saw Al Ahly fail to turn plenty of possession into clear-cut chances.
Ali Maaloul and Rami Rabia were both introduced by Mosimane prior to the start of the second-half as Al Ahly looked to break the deadlock and the 2019/20 Champions League winners managed to open the scoring.