The 37th Africa Clubs Championship for Winners’ Cup concluded yesterday (2 September), in Meknes, Morocco, as Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly won the title in the men’s competition, while Angolan side Atlético Petróleos de Luanda secured their ninth trophy, tying the all-time record of the competition.

It was an action-packed week in Meknes, with eight teams taking part in the men’s competition, divided into two groups of four teams each, while the women’s competition had seven teams in the line-up, with a group of four sides and another of three teams.

In the men’s competition, Al Ahly was the dominant force, sweeping their opponents in the group stage, with three straightforward wins. The Egyptian powerhouse started with a 46:26 win against Nigerian side Sokoto Rima, added another 45:26 win against Red Star Oja, finishing the group phase with another dominating 48:23 win against Cameroon’s FAP.

First place in Group B was sealed by Morocco’s Widad Smara, as the two sides went on a collision course that ended in the final.

Al Ahly added another two wins, 49:22 against ASFA and 33:30, in the semi-final against Angola’s Inter Clube, while Widad overcame challenges from Sokoto (47:27) and DR Congo’s JSK (30:22) to proceed to the final.

Al Ahly, the big favourites, had their toughest game in the final, as the score was tied 10:10 after the first 30 minutes against Widad.

Their superior experience was crucial in sealing the win, 29:24, helping Al Ahly win their sixth Africa Clubs Championship Winners’ Cup, still six less than domestic rivals Zamalek.

“We eyed winning the trophy, despite our problems before the start of the season, before every player got to their form and also in the absence of the players which were in their national teams in our preparation period,” said coach Tarek Mahrous, according to the Al Ahly Facebook page.

Egyptian clubs have dominated the competition in the last decade, winning eight of the last 10 titles, including six on the trot.

After securing the win in the 24th CAHB Women’s African Championship in June, Angolan handball has recorded another success, this time at club level.

For the 13th time in a row, an Angolan side sealed the title, as Atlético Petróleos de Luanda went undefeated.

Starting in Group A, the Angolan powerhouse swiftly dispatched their opponents, DR Congo’s HC Heritage, 38:17, and Cameroon’s TKC, 31:21, to progress to the knockout phase.

On their way to the title, Petro de Luanda also won against FAP, 29:21, in the semi-final, with another 25:21 win against TKC sealing the trophy.

It was the ninth title in the Africa Clubs Championship Winners’ Cup for Petro de Luanda, who are now tied Ivory Coast’s Africa Sports National for the most trophies won in the competition.

Visit the African Handball Confederation Facebook page for more information.

Photos: African Handball Confederation