Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: A Makhete Diop brace helped Al Ahli secure the United Arab Emirates League Cup title on Saturday following a 2-0 win over Al Shabab.
The club’s latest triumph saw the AFC Champions League hopefuls claim their third piece of silverware this season after last September’s Super Cup success over Al Jazira and the Emirati-Moroccan Super Cup defeat of FUS Rabat a month later.
Senegalese forward Diop opened his and Al Ahli’s account in the fifth minute courtesy of a fine angled drive past Al Shabab goalkeeper Salem Abdulla.
The 28-year-old then doubled his tally from close range in the 77th minute to effectively end the encounter as a contest and steer Al Ahli to a third UAE League Cup crown.
Head coach Cosmin Olaroiu’s charges are still in the running to win the UAE Pro League, although they are currently six points behind leaders Al Jazira with six games still to play.
In their latest AFC Champions League campaign, Al Ahli are second in Group A and will resume their continental quest for glory against Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun on April 12.
Photo: Al Ahli