Édouard Mendy: "It was our goal to be champions in front of our fans"

Al Ahli Saudi Club/X

Édouard Mendy and his teammates at Saudi Arabian giants Al Ahli were in a joyous mood after overcoming Japanese club Kawasaki Frontale to claim the AFC Champions League Elite title on Saturday. Goals from Galeno and Franck Kessié in the first half led Ahli to their first-ever continental title in front of a partisan crowd in Ahli's home city of Jeddah.

"We are so proud. Once we knew that the final eight would be in Jeddah, it was our goal to be champions in front of our fans. Since I came here eighteen months ago, they have supported us so much," Mendy said in a post-match interview.

"As I said when I signed here, it is to make the story to continue to win trophies and make this club as big as it was before."

Mendy, voted Best Goalkeeper of the competition, did not have too much to do as Ahli controlled the match. Asked about the secret of halting a prolific Kawasaki Frontale attack, Mendy credited his team:

"The secret is that teammates fought. If someone makes the effort, it will make it for the one (teammate) next to him...You saw the fire, you saw the spirit."

Now Mendy and his teammates will turn their attention back to the Saudi Pro League where Ahli will next host Al Taawoun on Wednesday. Ahli are currently in fifth place on 58 points, four shy of second placed Al-Hilal.