CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL 2021….HOW LEGENDS CAN BE MADE
The African Champions League is our own flagship competition, It might have a lot of issues when we go into matters like television broadcast, prose money, travel and logistics, feasibility and viability, but point remains….it is what we have, and we must do what we can to show pride and encourage those who still have the wherewithal to remain in it as competitors.
It is not easy.
So when the final of the competition beckons, we have to be excited. Because it is the biggest game in the African football calendar especially for the clubs involved, and their players.
This year, the final is between South African club Kaizer Chiefs and perennial winners Al Ahly FC of Egypt
Al Ahly won the last edition of the competition last year and it was its ninth time of triumph. Al Ahly has produced many legends in the African game, who shone in this competition over the years.
Who will forget the legend of Essam El-Hadary, the ageless goalkeeper who had 159 caps for Egypt and featured for Ahly for over 300 games? He played for Egypt till he was the grand age of 45, and even in a World Cup match.
We also remember one of the best midfield players who never bothered to leave the shores of Africa to play – Mohamed Aboutrika, also a legend of Al Ahly.
This is a club where legends are made, and are being handled by someone who was voted not long ago to be the 10th best coach in the world – South African Pitso Mosimane.
Will he join the increasing band of legends?
Standing in the way of the Egyptian lords is the South African team, Kaizer Chiefs. A team rich in history and tradition with a huge following around the world, it will be a remarkable achievement for them to win the trophy on July 17.
Founded 51 years ago with a huge retinue of triumphs on national and international scene (they won the Africa Cup winners Cup in 2001), Amakhosi must be feeling like their time has come.
They boast former stars and legends in the game like Lucas Radebe and the unforgettable Siphiwe Tshabalala who scored the first ever World Cup goal on African soil in 2010.
The battle line is drawn and the game is on July 17. It is a stage set in Mohamed V Stadium Casablanca, Morocco – a stage where potential legends will be made (or existing legends reconfirmed)!
It has happened before and history might just repeat itself in Casablanca Mohamed V.
It was in 2007, then the defending champions were going to do the double. The only team standing between them and the title was the underdogs who never won this title before, Esperance de Tunis.
The difference between the 2007 final and 2021 is the fact that Kaizer Chiefs will have only one chance to do.
Etoile in 2007 stops the mighty Al Ahly from scoring in the first leg in Tunis. That Advantage gave them an opportunity to invite an offensive approach from the titleholder which open them up allowing quick goals in the dying minutes of the game.
By beating Ahly, they stopped them from the double, and Esperance got their first star.
Kaizer Chiefs will have to do it in one game if they want the history to be repeated, to stop ahly from the double and to make them the newcomer to the winning circle.
Great piece of football history.
Kudos Tunde for reminding us Africans the need to begin to appreciate, encourage, nurture and love our owe.
We sure have the POTENTIALS to turn African football to Gold just like Europe.
BELIEVE
Great piece 💪🏾