Afro-Asian Club Championship to be staged at Lusail Stadium

General view of the Lusail stadium prior to the 2023 AFC Asian Cup final soccer match between Jordan and Qatar, in Lusail, Qatar, 10 February 2024. EPA/NOUSHAD THEKKAYIL

by Staff Reporter

Monday Jun 24, 2024. 09:17

The Afro-Asian Club Championship is set to be revived, with the match between the respective continent’s champion clubs set to be held at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

The competition was last played in 1998 when Morocco’s Raja Casablanca defeated Pohang Steelers of South Korea, and will reportedly make a return early in 2025.

Al Ahly (Egypt), the winners of the CAF Champions League in 2023-24, will face AFC Champions League winners Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) in January 2025 – with no less than $3million prize money up for grabs.

Qatar represent great hosts for the competition, as the ‘Red Eagles’ enjoy fantastic support from the Egyptian diaspora in Doha, while the Emirati fans will easily be able to travel to Lusail to support ‘Al Zaeem’ in the match.

The competition started in 1986 as a one-match format, but two years later it was held in a two-legged format.

Between 1986 and 1998, 11 editions were played, with the African teams winning the title eight times.

Zamalek are the record champions, having won the title twice in 1987 and 1997, while they were also beaten in 1994.

Al Ahly participated in the competition in 1988, defeating Japan’s Tokyo Verdy, then named Yomiuri FC, 4-1 on aggregate.

On the other hand, Al Ain, managed by former Argentinian striker Hernan Crespo, will participate in the competition for the first time, having won their second AFC Champions League title.

The revival of the competition will be another addition to an already busy schedule for the two sides, who will participate in two international competitions next season, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.