Article by Adelani Ogunrinade
In the month of May, we witnessed North-African football at its exquisite best & footballers from the western part of the continent shone across the globe. Al Ahly’s Percy Tau made the southern hemisphere proud after becoming the first South African player to win three CAF Champions League titles. Here are some of my most memorable moments in African football from the month of May:
Al Ahly & Zamalek fly the Egyptian Flag High
Before Coted’Ivoire 2023’s curtain raiser, many fancied the chances of the Eagles of Carthage, The Atlas Lions of Morocco, The Dessert Foxes of Algeria & the Pharaohs of Egypt. Disastrously, the quality quartet drowned in severe storms of shame after early eliminations from the tournament. The continent had not seen North-African football capitulate like that in over 30 years.
However, the dignity of the Arabic states was restored in this year’s CAF Confederations Cup & Champions League finals. Striker Ahmed Hamdi lit up Cairo International Stadium with a sublime match-winner in the tightly-contested two legged tie between Egyptian club Zamalek & RS Berkane of Morocco. A few days later, the bright red colours of Al Ahly painted the stands of Cairo International Stadium. There was simply nothing Coach Miguel Cardoso could do about the glorious destiny that engulfed the Egyptian air. Al Ahly’s 12th CAF Champions League kept the crowns on the heads of Africa’s most revered club kings.
Esperance de Tunis & RS Berkane may have lost in their respective finals to Egyptian clubs but the bigger picture revealed North-African football were the true winners of both African club competitions.
The Magic of Masandawana & Itumeleng Khune
As Mamelodi Sundowns slowly recovered from the disappointment of being knocked out of the CAF Champions League by Esperance de Tunis, Coach Rhulani Mokoena switched his focus to finishing the DSTV Premiership season unbeaten. Despite the Brazilians winning the league for the seventh successive time, their dashed dreams of invisibility broke the hearts of many loyal fans. The shock 1-0 defeat to Cape Town City was a cruel end to Masandawana’s marvellous season.
In stark contrast to Sundowns success, Amakhosi ended their season without a trophy. It has been 9 years since the Glamour Boys last won the PSL.In that title winning squad was the capable hands of Itumeleng Khune who recently said goodbye to his fans and the beloved club he had served for 25 years. A beautiful sea of supporters in black and gold gathered to honour the man who mesmerized the continent with crucial saves & won them 3 PSL titles. His imminent departure from Kaizer Chiefs will undoubtedly leave an indescribable void in the heart of Soweto.
The rise of Ademola Lookman & Chiamaka Nnadozie
Just a few days later, Super Falcons shot stopper, Chiamaka Nnadozie won the National Union of Professional Footballers award for the best goalkeeper in the French women’s topflight league.
The unprecedented excellence continued for Nigerian football when Nathan Tella & Victor Boniface sealed a German trophy with Bayer Leverkusen who won their first Bundesliga title in their 119-year history. Ironically, Xabi Alonso’s impressive 51 Games unbeaten run was ended by a Nigerian history maker – Ademola Lookman.
The Super Eagles star sparkled under Dublin lights; becoming the first African player ever in the history of Football to score a hat-trick in a Europa League final. The explosive winger is the first player to score three goals at this prestigious competition since Jupp Heynckes in 1975.His man of the match performance brought Atalanta their first trophy since 1963.Heart-warming Images of him celebrating with his mother after the game is one of the most wholesome moments ever seen in African Football.
The month of May was a beautiful football experience. Let’s see what June has to offer…