SportsNigerian Al Ahly Forward, Ajayi, Seeks Elusive CAF Champions League Title

Nigerian Al Ahly Forward, Ajayi, Seeks Elusive CAF Champions League Title

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SAN FRANCISCO, November 25, (THEWILL) – Egyptian Premier League giants Al Ahly SC take on arch-rivals Zamalek SC in the 2020 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League final on Friday, November 27 at the Cairo International stadium, al-Qahirah, Egypt.

The 2020 final will mark a special occasion for Al Ahly’s Nigerian star Junior Ajayi. The 24-year-old forward is hoping to finally claim the coveted African title which has eluded him in two previous occasions.

In 2017, Al Ahly lost to Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca 2-1 on aggregate in the decider. That was before CAF decided to make the final a single game event rather than a double-header where aggregates came into play.

Injury concerns prevented the Nigerian from taking part in the same fixture the following year. In the 2018 home-and-away finals, the Red Devils lost to Tunisia’s Esperance 4-3 on aggregate while he was sidelined.

“It was a bad time for us because coming up just short in consecutive editions isn’t good,” the striker explained. “We’d played very well throughout both of those campaigns but didn’t perform in either final, which cost us the title.”

In the summer of 2016, he joined the Red Devils of Al Ahly from Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien and quickly made his mark at the Cairo-based club. His contributions helped his side win the domestic league in his first season before scoring nine goals in his second year to retain the title with the club.

In addition to his domestic tally, he scored three times en route to the Champions League final in 2017 which they ultimately lost to Casablanca on aggregate.

The Nigerian’s progress in the squad took a major hit in July 2018. Medicals showed that he tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Botswana’s Township Rollers in the fourth round of that year’s Champions League group stage. Ajayi, who won a bronze medal with the Super Eagles at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016, described that injury as one of his worst moments.

“Having an injury that kept me out of the game for nearly six months was one of the most frustrating moments of my career.”

When he recovered from his six-month injury sideline, he came back stronger and joined his team to win and celebrate another Egyptian league title before helping the Red Devils get to their third Champions League final in four years.

“We’re very happy we won the league, which gives us confidence ahead of the coming games. We’re only focused on the continental title and will do our best to claim it.”

Ajayi knows how difficult an opponent Zamalek are and exactly what awaits them at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday. He has played against their opponents in the league and in the Cup ties, where last year he netted a brace, and appreciates their toughness.

“I expect a good game from both sides. The two teams know each other very well, and Zamalek are among the toughest teams I’ve faced. I’ve lost two finals against them and it wasn’t a good feeling.

“I love to play in big games because it highlights your capabilities as a player. I’ve been lucky in scoring against big teams and I feel very happy when I do this.

“I want to score more goals and hope to win the Champions League, because it’s the only title I still haven’t managed. I hope we can do it because our fans love this tournament so much.”

Should Ajayi succeed, it will surely be his crowning achievement with the Cairo giants and could see him participating in the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020 in Nigeria’s colours again.

With Al Ahly, he has won four consecutive league titles and lifted the Egyptian Super Cup twice. He scored a double against Zamalek in last year’s Super Cup triumph. So far this season, he has made 42 appearances for his club in all competitions, scoring 11 goals.

About the Author

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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.

Jude Obafemi, THEWILLhttps://thewillnews.com
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.

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