Algerian heavyweights ES Setif claimed the African Champions League title despite being held to a 1-1 home draw by Congo's AS Vita Club on Saturday. Lema Mabidi, 54, canceled out Sofiane Younes' lead for the hosts in the 50th minute but Setif prevailed virtue of the away-goal rule, having played out a 2-2 draw with Vita Club in Kinshasa a week ago. Saturday's glorious night in Blida marked Setif's second triumph in Africa's elite club competition, having won the old African Champions Cup in 1998, defeating Nigeria's Iwuanyanwu Nationale 4-1 on aggregate in the final. Setif will now take part in the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time. The annual tournament will be played in Morocco from 10 to 20 December. Vita Club missed out on the chance of securing their second continental title, having also won the African Champions Cup in 1973. Younes sent the home fans into raptures nine minutes after the restart when he side-footed the ball into an empty net after a right-wing cross was flicked by a teammate at the near post. Mabidi revived Vita Club's hopes when he made the most of a poor defensive clearance to fire a powerful shot home from the edge of the area four minutes later. Vita Club pushed forward in the latter stages but Setif survived the onslaught, thanks to their resolute defence as the final whistle prompted wild celebrations in the stands of Setif's Stade Moustapha Tchaker. (For more sports news and updates, follow AhramOnline Sports on Twitter at@AO_Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/114512.aspx
