CAF Confederation Cup Final: Al Ahly Apologises for Blunder Over Opponent’s Nationality
By BBC Sport – Football
Egyptian giants Al Ahly have come under fire after mistakenly identifying their CAF Confederation Cup final opponents, Séwé Sport, as a Congolese club. The error appeared on stadium tickets for the return leg of the final, set to be played on 6 December in Cairo.
The blunder has sparked widespread ridicule online, with football fans across the continent mocking Africa’s most decorated club for the geographical slip. Séwé Sport, in fact, hails from Côte d’Ivoire and not the Republic of Congo — a detail that appears to have been overlooked in the matchday preparations.
The two sides already met in the first leg of the final last Saturday in Abidjan, where Séwé Sport secured a narrow 2-1 victory. Al Ahly will now need to overturn that deficit in Cairo if they are to clinch their first-ever CAF Confederation Cup title.
Faced with mounting criticism on social media and in the press, Al Ahly issued an official apology on Wednesday, acknowledging the mistake and expressing regret for the confusion caused.
While the gaffe may have dented the club’s reputation temporarily, the focus now shifts to the pitch. Al Ahly, known for their pedigree in African football, will be hoping to put the embarrassment behind them and deliver a strong performance in the decisive second leg.
To regain the respect of their supporters and the wider African football community, a comeback victory may be the only acceptable response. But with Séwé Sport full of confidence and determined to make history, the Cairo clash promises to be a tightly contested affair.
