CAF Confirms Al Ahly vs Zamalek To Be Played Behind Closed Doors

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed the African Champions League final between Al Ahly and Zamalek will be played without fans.

CAF was yet to confirm whether the fans will be allowed to the stadium owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, in a statement on CAF website, the one-off final which will be played on Friday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, the African football governing body has confirmed fans will not be allowed to attend.

“Following the current situation of COVID-19 pandemic, CAF and Egyptian Football Association (EFA) confirmed in a joint statement that their utmost priority is the safety of Egyptian and African football families. Therefore, it was decided to hold the game behind closed doors,” reads part of the statement.

“The CAF Champions League final, which will be played at Cairo International Stadium that was founded in 1960, will be the first final in the competition history between the two Egyptian football rivals, adding more excitement to the final of CAF the biggest interclub competition.

“CAF and EFA hope this game will be a message from Egypt and the African continent to the whole World, showing the capabilities of organizing major sports events, and reflecting the technical development of the African football.”

The Friday’s clash for the top club trophy on the continent is the 239th meeting between the two Egyptian football giants, each of whom can count their support in the Arabic speaking world in the tens of millions of fans.

Al Ahly dominate the past win count 102-58 but this is first time the Cairo clubs face off in a continental competition final.

It will be the first time since 1965 the African Champions League final will be concluded in a single game. The first-ever final between Oryx Douala and Stade Malien was decided in one game, with Douala securing a 2-1 victory.