Date: thursday 20th of February. Location: Cairo international stadium. Match: Al-Ahly vs Club Sportif Sfaxien, a Tunisian club.

In the result there's nothing surprising: a win for the Egyptian side. But the outcome is historic. Al-Ahly raised to the sky the African Super Cup, their 19th international trophy. Since that day, Milan is not the most titled club in the world anymore, as they “only” won 18 titles together with Boca Juniors. Adriano Galliani, CEO of Milan, said that he wanted to wait for a FIFA response about the validity of the 1988 Africa-Asia Intercontinental Cup  before congratulating with the Egyptian club. 

But CAF, the African football federation, seemed to have a different opinion. “Congratulations to Ahly on this historic achievement – CAF president Issa Hayatou said - CAF is proud of this record that puts Africa on the world map yet again. This is a positive sign that African football has come of age and it will encourage other clubs to do more”.

What does this mean for Milan? No doubt about that. The loss of such a record is a prestige matter. But also a practical one: Milan will not be able to write in the jersey “Il club più titolato al mondo”, and will have to remove the motto from their official bus... Although Milan has lost the world record, the Rossoneri are still the most titled team in Europe with a lead of 3 titles ahead of Real Madrid.


Who are the new bosses? Al-Ahly – which was founded in 1907 - is considered the biggest club in Africa and in 2000 it was named “African club of the century”. But it's not only a matter of titles: the club has the biggest fan base in all Africa. Most of the Egyptian people are fans of Al-Ahly and many generations of the best African and Egyptian players played in this club starting from the generation who represented Egypt in the World Cup in 1934 and in 1990. At least half of the players of the winning national Egyptian team of the African cup of nations in 2006, 2008 and 2010 were from Al-Ahly.


Two half-brothers clubs. The “red devils”, as they call themselves in Egypt, have a lot of similarities with the Rossoneri: the ultras of the club represent themselves with a Devil (in Italia, diavolo, a nickname related to Milan). The club was founded by an English man – Mitchel Ince – as Milan, whose father (and first coach ever) was Herbert Kilpin. But unlike Milan (and the majority of Italian clubs) the club has not a personal ownership but a diffuse shareholding: every member has the voting right in the general assembly of the club. Through this assembly, members elect the committee and CEO.

 

Al-Ahly international gold book:

• 8 African champions league 1982,1987, 2001,2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2013;
• 6 super African cup 2002, 2006,2007,2009, 2013,2014;
• 4 african cups of cups 1984, 1985, 1986, 1993;
• 1 Afro-Asian Super Cup (1988).

Total: 19

Milan international gold book:

• 7 champions league : 1963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007;
• 2 Cup Winners Cup: 1968, 1973;
• 5 UEFA Super Cup: 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007;
• 3 Intercontinental Cups: 1969, 1989, 1990 and 1 Club World Cup in 2007;

Total: 18

Boca Juniors international gold book:

• 3 Intercontinental/World Cup for Clubs (1977, 2000, 2003);
• 6 Copa Libertadores (1977, 1978, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007);
• 2 South American Cups (2004, 2005);
• 1 South American Super Cup (1989);
• 4 South American Cup Winners' Cup (1990, 2005, 2006, 2008);
• 1 Gold Cup (1993);
• 1 Masters Super Cup (1992).

Total: 18

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