The African Champions Cup was like ever – clubs withdrew before playing matches, but there was one difference: the Egyptian Al-Ahly did not play at the ½ final, because of the assassination of President Anwar Sadat. Thus JE Tizi-Ouzou of Algeria qualified directly to the final. Lucky Algerians – they benefited from the opponent’s withdrawal for a second time this year. The other finalist had it much tougher – they played all matches up to the final, but they were not a club to be scared: AS Vita Club of Zaire, one of the best African clubs for years. In the ½ final they eliminated AS Kaloum Star from Guinea.
The 2-legged final theoretically favoured experienced Vita Club. But they lost the first leg in Algeria 0-4. It was too much – or the opponents were too good. They won the second leg too – 1-0. Vita Club lost with a 0-5 total and Africa had new Cup winner. You got the name? May be not… yes, the new winners were recorded as JE Tizi-Ouzou. Happy they were, of course.
Captain Mouloud Iboud proudly lifting the African Champions Cup.
Worthy winners – they simply destroyed Vita Club, one of the most dominant winners in the histroy of the tournament. But do not look for a club called JE Tizi-Ouzou . Look for JS Kabylie instead.
JS Kabylie was playing under new name at this time . ‘The Lions of Djurdjura’ were founded in 1928 as Rapide Club de Tizi-Ouzou… but they also show 1946 on their current crest as birthdate. JS Kabylie was renamed JS Kawkabi in 1974 and changed to JS Tizi-Ouzou in 1977 – this name lasted unti 1989. Their success started in the 1970s and after winning 4 Algerian titles, they made it internationally as well. Well done – the victory coincided with the rise of Algerian football, apparently starting one of their best periods in history.