After winning an unprecedented sixth CAF Champions League trophy Ahli have proudly become the most decorated team on the Dark Continent. The Cairo giants have claimed a record-breaking title after a 4-2 aggregate victory over Coton Sport on Sunday, to conclude their successful campaign with a historic triumph. The Red Devils carved out their significant African rank after many years of consistency and dedication that led to a multitude of continental and local titles throughout the 20th century, and they chalked up more victories in the first decade of the third millennium as well. Continental Glory In 1982, Ahli have first won the prestigious competition, which was named ‘African Champions Cup' at the time. The Reds repeated the feat in 1987, but couldn't reclaim the title throughout the 1990s. However, Portuguese coach Manuel Jose, who's perceived one of the greatest tacticians in the history of the club, ended the lengthy African title drought. No doubt that Jose's impact has been impressive since his appointment in 2001, as Ahli won more than half of their African trophies under his management. The 62-year-old boss led Ahli to their third Champions League title upon his arrival in 2001. The revitalized team proved their African credentials again after pulling off remarkable back-to-back Champions League triumphs in 2005 and 2006. The 2006 victory was definitely a one-off, when classy playmaker Mohamed Abou-Treika netted a memorable last-gasp winner in the final match against Sfaxien to disappoint the Tunisian fans, who were celebrating their so-called win in last seconds of the game. Having been crowned champions in that year, Jose's men emulated the feat of their arch-rivals Zamalek, who have won Africa's premier competition five times. Now Ahli have surpassed Zamalek on all fronts, having clinched the sixth Champions League trophy after defeating Coton Sport. Apart from the Champion League, Ahli have also claimed the African Super Cup in 2002, 2006 and 2007.
They have also won the Afro-Asian Cup once in 1989, and the African Cup Winners Cup in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1993. Local Supremacy Ahli, as such, have the upper hand on the local stage, having claimed numerous Egyptian titles. They won the Egyptian Premier League 33 times, 22 more than bitter rivals Zamalek. Ahli's local domination started over half a century ago. Since the 1950s their supremacy was quite obvious, as they won eight local league titles in one decade. During the 1960s, the League was halted due to political reasons and the circumstance of the war with Israel. Consequently, Ahli won the league only a couple of times. They carried on their way to glory at a steady pace once the League was resumed in the mid-1970s, and they have tightened their stranglehold on the competition ever since. Ahli claimed the domestic title for seven years running from 1994 to 2000 to welcome the new century in the best possible way. The Reds' Egyptian Cup record is also spectacular, having bagged 35 trophies. They won their first local Cup title in 1941 and the last one in 2007. Again, they are way above Zamalek, who have only claimed 21 cup titles so far. Ahli's record in the local Super Cup is also brilliant, having won the competition five times in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 since its launch in 2001. World Cup Dream Ahli are ambitiously keen to punch above their weight and compete with the likes of Manchester United and Internacional in the FIFA Club World Cup. Jose's side have qualified for the international tournament two consecutive times in 2005 and 2006. While their first experience on the international stage wasn't satisfactory, they redeemed themselves in the next year and brought the Bronze medal home after putting on memorable displays against the continental champions. After winning their sixth African title, Ahli have become the only team on earth to qualify for the Club World Cup three times, and now they are seriously targeting their first international title.
