Ahly players basked in a fifth consecutive Egyptian Premier League title, saying they can now look forward to completing a remarkable season by winning the African Champions League. The Cairo giant wrapped up their record-extending 42nd title with six rounds left after gaining an unassailable 20-point lead on top. Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawi thanked his teammates for their efforts all season, highlighting how winning the premier domestic competition had become customary for Egypt and Africa's most successful outfit. "We all know that the league is our preferred trophy and it's normal to win it every season," said El-Shennawi, who has been one of Ahly's best performers in another stellar campaign. "The remaining games in the league will be a good preparation for the Champions League." Ahly will face Morocco's Wydad next month in an anticipated two-legged clash in the Champions League semi-final. They have not won the continent's blue-riband competition since clinching the last of their record eight titles in 2013. "We will celebrate today before starting our preparations for the Champions League from tomorrow," El-Shennawi added. Ahly's right-back Mohamed Hani echoed his sentiment, saying his side are now fully concentrated on ending their African drought. The Red Devils came close to ending their barren run on two occasions, only to lose to Wydad and Tunisia's Esperance in the 2017 and 2018 finals respectively. Ahly's strike duo Marwan Mohsen and Aliou Badji share the burden of putting away the chances that come their way, and they are aware they must deliver in the Champions League. "We will do our best to reach our goal of winning the Champions League," Mohsen said. Senegalese Badji, who joined the team last January, said: "We will forget the league title now to concentrate on the Champions League. We will fight to win all the coming games." (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
