ADDIS ABABA: Goalkeeper Essam Al-Hadary was the hero on Sunday as Al-Ahly of Egypt retained the African Super Cup with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Etoile Sahel of Tunisia. The annual match between the holders of the African Champions League and the African Confederation Cup ended goalless after extra time at the National Stadium in the Ethiopian capital. After the first nine spot kicks were converted, long-serving Al-Hadary saved from substitute Khalid Melliti and Ahly trumped Etoile in an African final for the second time. But it was much closer this time after Ahly overpowered Etoile 3-0 on aggregate over two legs in a surprisingly one-sided 2005 African Champions League decider. Al-Hadary excels in shootouts, making two saves as Egypt pipped Ivory Coast in the 2006 African Nations Cup final and his shot-stopping skills helped Ahly edge Far Rabat of Morocco in the last African Super Cup match. A bumpy pitch and the stamina-sapping altitude of Addis Ababa effected the players, resulting in a poor showcase of African club football between teams who can boast 19 titles between them. Consistent scorer Emad Moteab came close for five-time African Champions League winners Ahly late in the first half with a snapshot that triggered wild applause from a crowd starved of goalmouth action. Etoile responded midway through the second half of regulation time when young Cape Verdian striker Gilson Ja Silva saw his dipping shot finish off target. Islam Al-Shater and Flavio Amado of Ahly and Mehdi Meriah and Saber Ben Frej of Etoile were cautioned by Burkina Faso referee Lassina Pare during a match that attracted a 10,000 crowd. Victory for Ahly means they share two records with arch Cairo rivals Zamalek, winning the African Champions League five times and the African Super Cup three times. The African Super Cup is traditionally hosted by the African Champions League holders, but was switched to Ethiopia this year as part of the Confederation of African Football 50th anniversary celebrations.
