Al Ahly (Egypt)

Crowned as Africa’s team of the last century, Al Ahly are arguably the most successful side in the history of the game on the continent. The team, too, are avidly supported, not only in Egypt but throughout the Arab world.

Founded almost 100 years ago, Al Ahly have won eight continental titles, five of them during a glorious period in the 1980s when they totally dominated the African football scene.

Al Ahly were the first side to win three continental titles in a row from 1984 to 1986, earning the right to keep the African Cup Winners’ Cup.

Players like the Hassan twins, goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir and midfield general Mahmoud Al Khatib, the only player from the country to be named African Footballer of the Year.

Al Ahly provided the backbone of the Egyptian side that played at the 1990 World Cup finals in Italy.

The club have also totally dominated the domestic league in Egypt, winning 30 championships in 48 years. Only five times has the club failed to finish outside the top three and their lowest ever finish has been seventh.

In the 2004/2005 season, the club went through the season unbeaten, winning 24 out of 26 games and drawing the other two.   

Portuguese coach Manuel Jose was the architect of the run, returning for a second spell at the club after taking Al Ahly to the MTN CAF Champions League title in 2001.

The club have not been beaten since June, 2004 when they lost a cup tie to Arab Contractors.