Esperance coach Nabil Maaloul admitted that Ahly were worthy winners after the Egyptian giants clinched the African Champions League title in Tunis on Saturday. The Red Devils scored either side of the interval, thanks to goals from Mohamed Nagy ‘Gedo' and Walid Soliman, to win 2-1 and lift the trophy with a 3-2 aggregate victory. “I want to congratulate Ahly players and technical staff for their performance in the game,” Maloul told Al-Jazeera Sports in a side-pitch interview following the game, which took place at Rades Stadium. “Ahly deserved the victory as they dominated the entire game.” Esperance had to do without several key players, including Harrison Afful and Sameh Derbali who were out due to suspension and Majdi Traoui who was injured. “The absences affected our performance in the game. We were not in the best shape; we had to play without wingers.” The 50-year-old also admitted that playmaker Youssef Msakni, who had just recovered from an appendectomy, produced a below-par display. “Msakni was not fit for the game He wasn't ready,” Maaloul commented. Maaloul also blamed his players for failing to make the most of home advantage and wasting three chances to score, but reiterated his sentiment that Ahly fully deserved their win. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports)
