CAIRO, Feb 25: Goalkeeper Essam al-Hadary was once again the hero of Egypt as Al Ahly lifted the African Super Cup with a penalty shootout triumph over FAR Rabat Friday.

Neither club scored in 120 minutes of regulation and extra time before Ahly converted four consecutive kicks while Hassam saved two Moroccan kicks at a well-populated Cairo Stadium.

Just two weeks ago at the same venue, Hassam saved two penalties as Egypt beat Ivory Coast 4-2 in a shootout after a goalless African Nations Cup final and won the competition a record fifth time.

Super Cup matches bring together the winners of the leading African club competitions and home advantage gives the Champions League holders a distinct advantage which has produced eight consecutive wins for the hosts.

The shootout brought some excitement to an otherwise drab occasion as the clash of the 2005 Champions League and Confederation Cup holders never came close to matching expectations.

There was a hint of things to come with less than one minute gone on a pleasant evening in the Egyptian capital when a raid by the Moroccans ended with a wild shot.

Ahly, desperate to impress after finishing last at the six-team FIFA club world championship in Japan two months ago, were no better despite fielding six of the Nations Cup-winning squad.

Fullback Mohamed Abdelwahab fired embarrassingly wide after being set up from a free kick by Mohamed Aboutraika, another hero of the Egyptian Nations Cup victory.

Ahly striker Emad Moteab was guilty of the miss of the match with 17 minutes gone as he scooped the ball over from point-blank range after a pass from the hyperactive Aboutraika fell invitingly into his path.—AFP