Al Ahly claimed a dramatic 26-25 victory over rivals Zamalek in the African Handball Club Championship final, held in Luanda, Angola, securing another major title after a thrilling match that went into extra time and remained competitive until the final moments.

The victory was more than just another win over Zamalek.

It gave Al Ahly their ninth African title and extended their impressive run to four consecutive championships, confirming their strong position in African club handball.

The triumph also came just days after Al Ahly won the bronze medal at the IHF Club World Championship, highlighting the team's ability to compete at both African and international levels.

Dramatic Final

The final brought together two of Egypt's biggest handball clubs, with both teams determined to finish their African campaign as champions after delivering strong performances throughout the tournament.

Al Ahly eventually secured a narrow 26-25 victory after extra time, winning a closely contested match that showed the intensity of the rivalry between the two Egyptian giants.

Al Ahly reached the final after an impressive 38-20 win over DR Congo's Kinshasa in the semifinals, while Zamalek booked their place with a convincing 35-21 victory against Angola's Petro Atletico.

Both teams had enjoyed successful campaigns before reaching the final.

Al Ahly completed the group stage with a perfect record, defeating Angola's Interclube, Benin's Flowers, Angola's Petro Atletico, Ivory Coast's Renaissance, and Rwanda's APR.

Zamalek also topped their group after recording victories over Congo's GSK, Angola's Primeiro, and Ethiopian sides Mekelle and Michel, before continuing their strong run into the knockout rounds.

With their latest success, Al Ahly increased their African championship total to nine titles, having previously won the competition in 1985, 1993, 1994, 2012, 2016, 2023, 2024, and 2025, before adding the 2026 trophy.

Winning four consecutive editions reflects the team's consistency and ability to perform under pressure, particularly in important matches against strong opponents.

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Praise and Pressure

Following the victory, Al Ahly president Mahmoud El Khatib congratulated the players, coaching staff, medical team, and club officials for their efforts throughout the competition.

El Khatib praised the team's determination and fighting spirit, explaining that winning the African title shortly after securing bronze at the Club World Championship demonstrated the quality of the work being done within the handball department.

He also congratulated Al Ahly supporters and highlighted their continued backing of the club's teams across different competitions.

Meanwhile, Zamalek were left disappointed after losing the final by a single goal, especially after remaining in contention until the closing stages of the match.

The club described the way the defeat unfolded as extremely difficult and stressed the importance of overcoming the psychological barrier created by such painful losses.

Despite missing out on the trophy, Zamalek's journey to the final showed that they remain capable of challenging for major titles.

However, the team will need to learn from the experience and return stronger in future competitions.

For Al Ahly, the victory provides another major confidence boost and strengthens their ambition to continue winning trophies.

For Zamalek, the result creates a new challenge as they look to recover from the disappointment and return to winning ways.

Ultimately, the final once again demonstrated the strength of the rivalry between Al Ahly and Zamalek in African handball.

Al Ahly celebrated another historic title, while Zamalek were left searching for a response that could help them return to the top in future competitions.