Mahrez, Kessié, and Mendy lead Al Ahli to AFC Champions League glory

Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy was awarded Best Goalkeeper after Al Ahli won the AFC Champions League on Saturday. Photo Credit: Al-Ahli Saudi Club/X

Riyad Mahrez, Franck Kessié, and Édouard Mendy have won the AFC Champions League Elite with Al Ahli Saudi. Ahli beat Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 on Saturday in the final played at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.

First-half goals from Brazilian midfielder Galeno and Ivorian Kessié secured a convincing 2-0 win over Kawasaki. Kessié headed home from a deflected cross by Roberto Firmino, giving the Saudi side a two-goal cushion before the interval.

Matthias Jaissle’s men dominated the first half, with Kawasaki opting to sit back and defend. In the second half, Al Ahli maintained their lead and held on to be crowned kings of Asia. It was their first-ever AFC Champions League title, having previously fallen short in the finals from the 1986 and 2012 editions.

Algerian winger Mahrez played a standout role throughout the campaign, contributing 17 goal involvements—including nine goals to finish second in the tournament's scoring chart. Senegalese goalkeeper Mendy kept three clean sheets and was awarded Best Goalkeeper of the competition while Ivorian midfielder Kessié was instrumental in anchoring the midfield and driving the team’s success.