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African Champions League: Caf defends final venue amid backlash

Wydad Casablanca fansGetty Images

Wydad Casablanca's ionate fans could have home advantage in Morocco for the African Champions League final

By Piers Edwards
BBC Sport Africa

After a backlash following its decision to stage the final of the African Champions League in Morocco, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) says it had no other candidates to host the game.

The announcement the match will be held in Casablanca, when one of the city's teams - Wydad - look set to reach the 30 May event, has caused fury online.

Nowhere is this stronger than in Egypt, where Cairo's Al Ahly - the record 10-time African club champions - appear poised to meet Wydad in the final after both sides recorded comfortable wins in the opening legs of their respective semi-finals this weekend.

Confirmation that Morocco would host the one-off encounter for the second year running came on Monday after Senegal pulled out last week.

"A few months ago, four to five countries expressed interest in hosting the final but only two candidates properly came through," a Caf source told BBC Sport Africa.

"We wanted more countries to bid, because the final is often between those from Morocco and Egypt. So it was fantastic to receive the Senegal bid, but they withdrew."

Reaction to the decision has seen the hashtag #stopcafcorruption trend online, with insinuations that African football's ruling body had purposely selected Morocco to boost Wydad's chances should they reach the final - which Caf has rejected.

Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane even asked 'What is this all about">