Chiefs Await After Al Ahly’s Champions League Streak Ends

Egyptian giants Al Ahly's 23-year run in the CAF Champions League came to an end after they finished third in the Egyptian Premier League.

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The Egyptian Premier League title race came down to the final day of the season, with Zamalek, Pyramids FC and Al Ahly all in contention to claim the title.

The White Knights claimed the title on the last day with 56 points, edging Pyramids by two points, while Al Ahly finished third on 53 points.

It is the first time since the 2002/03 season that Al Ahly will not be competing in the CAF Champions League; instead, that season they competed in the now-defunct CAF Cup, bringing an end to a 23-year streak, according to Pan-Africa Football.

It means the Red Devils will not have a chance to add to their record 12 Champions League titles next season, and instead will play in the Confed Cup, where the likes of Kaizer Chiefs and Nedbank Cup winners Durban City await.

While they have not qualified for Africa's second-tier club competition, they have competed in it in previous seasons, notably in 2009. 2014 and 2015, winning the title in 2014, but those participations came after they were relegated to the competition after being eliminated in the CAF Champions League preliminary round.

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Despite their qualification and previously winning the tournament, the club is reportedly seriously considering whether or not they will choose to participate, with the tournament deemed far less glamorous than the Champions League, instead choosing to focus on rebuilding domestically.