The match of the second day of the group stage of the CAF Champions League between AS FAR of Rabat and Al Ahly of Cairo ended in a 1-1 draw, after an intense and balanced encounter. On the pitch of the Moulay Hassan stadium, both teams neutralized each other at the end of a confrontation where physical commitment and tension were palpable. However, beyond the result, this North African derby was marked by Al Ahly’s sharp criticism of the refereeing and the Askaris supporters.
AS FAR took the lead in the 38th minute, a situation that sparked anger among the Egyptians. The referee awarded a penalty for a handball by Aliou Dieng in the box. In its post-match report, Al Ahly described this decision as “imaginary,” lamenting the absence of VAR technology that could have, in their view, overturned this sanction. The shot from captain Hrimat, slightly deflected by goalkeeper Mostafa Shobair and pushed onto the post, was followed by AS FAR striker Mohsen Bouriga, who scored on the rebound to open the scoring.
The Egyptian team, the reigning champions, managed to respond in the second half. After tactical adjustments, it was Trézéguet who delivered for his side in the 69th minute, scoring the equalizer with a well-placed header following an excellent cross. While this goal allowed Al Ahly to leave with a valuable point, the club also lamented in its official statements the hostile atmosphere at the end of the match. The Egyptian club’s account on its official website notably mentioned assaults from AS FAR supporters and unsportsmanlike conduct from Moroccan players, even citing a head injury suffered by Trézéguet.
This draw (1-1), resulting from a very balanced duel, allowed Al Ahly to maintain the top position in the group while AS FAR confirmed its status as a tough rival against the Egyptian giant. Nevertheless, the match quickly became surrounded by controversies, with Al Ahly strongly criticizing the refereeing for the penalty deemed unjust and the hostility of some local supporters, in light of the incidents that accompanied the match.
These criticisms immediately fueled debates in the Egyptian media, as seen in the statements of analyst and former player Reda Abdelaal. He countered Al Ahly’s complaints, arguing that the Cairo club had no right to question the penalty awarded to AS FAR (38th minute). Reda Abdelaal notably asserted that Al Ahly never questions itself when it benefits from dubious refereeing decisions that allow it to secure victories.
