Ahly coach Juan Garrido believes his side were unlucky not to secure a record-extending seventh African Super Cup title after losing on penalties to ES Setif in Algeria on Saturday. Champions League holders Setif looked as though they had wrapped up their maiden Super Cup title after going into the injury time with a 1-0 lead, thanks to a second-half strike from Abdelmalek Ziaya. But veteran striker and second-half substitute Emad Meteb, who famously helped Ahly become the first Egyptian side to win the Confederation Cup with a last-gasp header in last year's final against Ivory Coast's Sewe Sport, struck at the death again to force a penalty shootout following a blunder from the keeper. Both sides looked composed in the normally nerve-jangling penalties, having converted their first five spot kicks, but Setif prevailed in the sudden death to spark wild celebrations at the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium in Blida. "We were the better side in almost all aspects. We passed the ball better and our ball possession was better. Even when we fell behind, we produced a spirited fight-back and we managed to equalise," Garrido told the post-match news conference. "ES Setif's goal was fortuitous. I can't blame my players, they did a great job tonight." Meteb echoed Garrido's sentiment, saying the players should be lauded for their display. "We played a great game despite the circumstances we had faced, including the rain which heavily affected the pitch," he said. "I was happy to score at the end but, unfortunately, this counted for nothing." Ahly lost for only the second time in eight Super Cup attempts. Their previous defeat was in 1994 when they lost 1-0 to Cairo rivals Zamalek in Johannesburg. Ahly also missed out on the chance of becoming the first side in the continent to win three Super Cups in a row. (For more sports news andupdates, followAhramOnlineSportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand onFacebookatAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/123594.aspx
