The first-ever African Football League is coming to an end. The bookmakercompany 1xBet evaluates the results of the competition and presents thefinalists.
Global interest in tournament
There was talk about a new competition for the continent’s leading clubs lastyear. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA wanted toorganize competitions whose purpose would be to promote African football andprovide financial support to clubs. Eight elite teams from the continent wereeligible to participate: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Petro de Luanda(Angola), TP Mazembe (DRC), Esperance Tunis (Tunisia), EnyimbaInternational (Nigeria), Wydad Casablanca (Morocco), Simba SC (Tanzania) and Al Ahly (Egypt). The games of the giants of African football wereuncompromising and aroused great interest among fans.
Around 60,000 fans gathered at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium to witness the grandopening and watch live the goal-scoring draw between Simba SC and Egyptianchampions Al Ahly. Those unable to make it to the stadium could watch thegames live for free on the FIFA+ website and the tournament’s YouTube channel, with English and French commentary.
Million Dollar Struggle
Modern professional sports are impossible without serious financialinvestments, and the African Football League provides an opportunity for clubsnot only to compete with the best but also to earn money. Wydad Casablancaand Mamelodi Sundowns have already guaranteed themselves $3 millions inprize money for reaching the final, with an additional million dollars waiting forthe tournament winner. Serious motivation to win!
Path to final
At the quarter-final stage, Wydad Casablanca played against EnyimbaInternational, one of the strongest teams in Nigeria, and confidently passed itwith a total score of 4-0. In the semi-finals, Wydad fought with the titledEsperance Tunis, won at home with a score of 1-0 and lost minimally away. As a result, the fate of a ticket to the final was decided by a penalty shootout, inwhich the Moroccans were luckier.
Mamelodi Sundowns kicked off their journey with matches against Petro deLuanda from Angola. Mamelodi Sundowns won 2-0 away and defended theiradvantage at home. Then Ka bo Yellow played with the Egyptian Al-Ahly – oneof the strongest teams in Africa and the tournament’s favourite. A minimalvictory at home allowed playing from the defence in Cairo and advance further, thanks to a goalless draw. Throughout the entire tournament, the finalistsconceded one goal between them and never lost at home.
How was first final match?
The first game between Wydad Casablanca and Mamelodi Sundowns was thehighlight of the African Football League. 45 thousand spectators at theMohamed V stadium saw an incredible intensity of passion. At the end of thefirst half, Rivaldo Coetzee cut the ball into his own goal after a solo pass fromImad Khannouss. After the break, the South Africans quickly levelled the scorethanks to a penalty for Yahya Jebran’s handball. Not without problems, but the11-meter shot was converted by Abdelmounaim Boutouil. However, substituteAnas Serrhat scored the decisive goal with a long-range strike, and Wydad wonwith a score of 2-1.
The second match of the African Football League final will be played onNovember 12 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Will Casablanca be able to defendtheir minimal lead away? Follow the competition between the best Africanteams with 1xBet and support your favorite!
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