BY OSABUOHIEN VIVIAN-ROSE
Al Ahli secured back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite titles after edging past Japan’s Machida Zelvia 1-0 in a tense final in Jeddah.
The decisive moment came in extra time, when striker Firas Al-Burikan found the net to seal victory in front of a packed home crowd of about 60,000 fans.
Despite being reduced to 10 men for nearly an hour following a red card, Al Ahli showed resilience under pressure. Goalkeeper Édouard Mendy played a crucial role, making key saves to keep the match level during regular time.
Winger Riyad Mahrez praised his team’s determination after the match, highlighting their ability to overcome the numerical disadvantage. “We fought harder and stayed together until we found the goal,” he said.
The breakthrough came early in extra time when Franck Kessié set up Al-Burikan, who finished clinically from close range.
Machida Zelvia, appearing in their first final, struggled to capitalize on their advantage after the sending-off and were unable to respond after conceding.
The victory marks a historic achievement for Al Ahli, making them the first club since Al Ittihad in 2005 to win consecutive Asian titles.
The tournament itself faced challenges, with scheduling disruptions and low attendance for some matches, but Al Ahli ultimately emerged as champions once again.
