adminCAPE TOWN – Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula has requested the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to take disciplinary action against African champions, Al Ahly, after their supporters shone green lasers at Orlando Pirates’ players. The Egyptian giants defeated the Buccaneers 2-0 in their Caf Champions League final second leg in Cairo on Sunday, with second half strikes from Mohamed Aboutrika and Ahmed Abdezaher enough to help Al Ahly defend their title.
According to a report on the Kick-Off website, Mbalula – who attended the game – slammed the Red Devils fans for deliberately shining green lasers in the eyes of the Pirates players.
Mbalula said the behaviour must be “condemned in the strongest terms”.
Pirates players experienced the same challenge in Tunisia last month in their semi-final second leg game against Esperance when they eliminated the two-time champions on the away goals rule.
Victory for Al Ahly meant they are now eight-time winners of the continental showpiece.
They also gave a good send-off to the 35-year-old Aboutrika, who was playing the last game of his career.
Orlando Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi has admitted that the green lasers shone at them by Al Ahly fans were disruptive.
Pirates lost 2-0 (3-1 aggregate) in the second leg of the Caf Champions League final in Cairo on Sunday, but the game was marred by Al Ahly fans shining lasers on the Pirates players throughout the game.
Mohamed Abou-Treika scored for the hosts nine minutes after half-time and left the Buccaneers desperate to find a goal.
The breakthrough never came for the visitors, and Al Ahly displayed contrastingly clinical finishing as they picked up a second goal through Ahmed Abdelzaher in the 78th minute.
Pirates, however, had their chances on the night but were wasteful in attack.
In an interview with the Soccer-Laduma website, the Bucs skipper said he was proud of his boys and that they showed a lot of character throughout the game. He also congratulated Al Ahly on their victory.
However, he did admit that the lasers “were a problem” but said they would bounce back as they turn their attention to their domestic campaign.
Meanwhile, Premier Soccer League CEO Brand de Villiers has commended Orlando Pirates’ for their spirited efforts following their loss in the Caf Champions League Final.
De Villiers said: “Even though results didn’t go their way today, we would like to commend Orlando Pirates for their gallant performance and resilience throughout the Caf Champions League.
“We would have loved to celebrate the second star on Orlando Pirates’ jersey, but I’m certain that this campaign has given them valuable lessons that will be profitable to them and other South African clubs that will participate in continental competitions.
“Orlando Pirates majestic journey in the Caf Champions League has been dominated by heroic moments whereby they defied odds and achieved results in difficult conditions at times.
“I would like to congratulate Orlando Pirates chairman, Dr Irvin Khoza, the club technical staff led by coach Roger de Sa, the players and supporters for going this far.
“They might have lost in the final, but we are still proud of them and what they have done for South African and Southern African football.”
De Villiers added: “One of the most important things for us is to see our clubs compete and dominate at continental level.
“We have to test our strength against the best in our continent.”
Al Ahly coach Mohamed Youssef said beating Orlando Pirates in the CAF Champions League Final yesterday was step one – now they are targeting success at the Club World Cup.
The Egyptians won their eighth title after beating the Buccaneers 2-0 at the Arab Contractors Stadium yesterday for a 3-1 aggregate win.
Youssef praised his players for overcoming a tough Pirates side and says there focus now was to do the country proud in Morocco.
“I’m very happy we won,” he said after the game. “It was a difficult game and a good test for us. It was a game of 180 minutes; we finished the first part in Johannesburg and completed the final part here.”
Youssef added: “They are a strong side having eliminated Esperance and TP Mazembe on their journey to the Final.
“We were focused on creating chances and capitalising on the mistakes of our opponents.
Youssef added that he would try his best to convince veteran playmaker Mohamed Aboutrika to postpone his retirement and feature at the Club World Cup.-Sport24.
Online Reporter