Al Ahli win record-equaling Super Cup title

ADDIS ABABA, Feb 18 (Reuters) Egypt's Al Ahli added another continental title to a long list of successes with a record-equaling third African Super Cup title today.

But the Egyptians needed penalties for a second successive year to overcome fellow north African opposition, beating Tunisia's Etoile Sahel 5-4 on in a post-match shootout in Addis Ababa after the two had played out a dour goalless draw at the end of extra time.

Al Ahli goalkeeper Essam Al Hadari reproduced his heroics in cup final shootouts last year to save from Khaled Melliti and hand the trophy to his club.

Last year Al Hadari also made vital shootout saves as Al Ahli won the Super Cup over Morocco's Royal Armed Forces.

The international goalkeeper was also the hero of the Nations Cup final between Egypt and the Ivory Coast last February.

Both Al Ahli and Etoile Sahel laboured on a bumpy pitch in the high altitude and between them produced only two shots on goal in two hours of languid football.

Emad Moteab's snap shot on the counter attack in the 38th minute for Champions League winners Al Ahli was the first real effort of the game.

Halfway through second half a speculative effort from Cape Verdian international Ja marked Etoile's first effort on goal, the shot dipping markedly but still going over the crossbar.

Al Ahli's third Super Cup triumph matches the record of their Egyptian compatriots Zamalek. It was also the 11th trophy for their Portuguese coach Manuel Jose, fast turning into the most successive manager in the Cairo club's history.

The African Super Cup is traditionally played at the home venue of the preceding year's Champions League winners but was moved to neutral Addis Ababa as part of the Confederation of African Football's 50th anniversary celebrations.

CAF are holding events in the four founding countries, Egypt, Ethiopia, South Africa and Sudan, this year to mark the founding of the organisation in 1957.

REUTERS PDS RN1956