Ahly's key midfielder Amr El Sulaya said on Friday the players could not afford to lose the African Champions League title after reaching the final for a third time in four years. The Red Devils won a record-extending ninth title after beating arch-rivals Zamalek 2-1 in the first ever all-Egyptian final on Friday. They made up for two final losses against Morocco's Wydad in 2017 and 2018 respectively. "We lost two previous finals in recent years and cried about them; we were determined not to lose a third. We said it is the time to cry from joy," the 30-year old midfielder, who scored a fifth-minute opener, said after the game. "I also have to thank all the players who left, especially Sherif Ekramy, Hossam Ashour, Ahmed Fathi and Ramadan Sobhi who contributed to our Champions League triumph." El Sulaya was also full of praise for South African coach Pitso Mosimane, who also won the title with South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns in 2016. "Everybody loves him and he said from day one that his priority is to win the African Champions League," he said. "Now we have to focus on the other tournaments as we still have the Egypt Cup, African Super Cup and Club World Cup." (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
