Ahli manager Manuel Jose described retaining the African Champions League title as the club's and his best accomplishment ever, saluting his players for defending the trophy despite a string of nagging injuries. "I think it's the most important moment in the club's history and the most important title for me too," Jose told BBC Sport one day after the memorable 1-0 victory over Sfaxien in Tunis. "It's very special because it's the tenth title that I've won with the club," added the Portuguese, who steered Ahli to three Champions League trophies, equaling arch-rival's Zamalek record of five titles. Ahli won Africa's Premier club competition on a 2-1 aggregate victory as well as the monetary prize of $1 million. They also became the third African team to win the title for two successive years after Englebert of Congo-Kinshasa and Nigeria's Enyimba. They traveled to Tunisia as underdogs after being held at home and almost went one down in the first half after an Issam Merdassi header missed the target by a hair. But an attacking spree in the second period guaranteed them the title thanks to a stoppage-time strike from Egyptian league best footballer Mohamed Abou-Treika. It was Abou-Treika's eighth goal of the tournament as he splits the top scorer spot with ASEC Mimosas midfielder Didier Ya Konan. Jose said Ahli were able to turn their fortunes around during the game like they did since they kicked-off their campaign. "Since we started the season in June, we have had many problems," he said.
Ahli lost to Sydney FC last season "We have seven operations on very important players as well as the death of Mohamed Abdul-Wahab, which was a big drama for all of us. "We were nervous in the first half and during half-time I tried to calm the players down. After the break, both our spirit and good football returned." Japan Adventure The nervy win meant also that Ahli will represent Africa in the World Club Championship in Japan next month. The Cairo powerhouse were there last season but returned in disgrace after being handed two defeats by Asian champions Ittihad Jeddah and Sydney FC of Australia, finishing in the basement of the table. Jose believes Ahli were below-par during last year's tournament because they were under too much pressure from the press and the fans alike. "I hope that the players are free and not under the big pressure they suffered last year," he said. "The press can do what they want but they should not put in the minds of the people that we are going to Japan to be world club champions." The men in red will play New Zealand champions Auckland City in a knock-out match in the opener of their Japanese adventure. "I don't know if we are going to beat Auckland City or not, but we are going to play to enjoy," Jose said.
