Al Ahli downs Al Shabab and lifts UAE League Cup title

A fine brace from Senegalese striker Makhete Diop has handed Al Ahli the UAE League Cup title after getting the better of Al Shabab 2-0 on Saturday. 

This is the Dubai-based side's third piece of silverware this season, having won the UAE Super Cup in September before winning the Emirati-Moroccan Super Cup in October. 

Bayern cannot get carried away

The UAE Pro-League defending champions began the final at Rashid Al-Maktoum Stadium in fine fashion by taking the lead as early as in the fifth minute. 

Makhete Diop, who has been in fine form of late, sent in an angled drive past Al Shabab goalkeeper Salem Abdulla to draw first blood. 

Al Ahli's city rivals could not muster much of a challenge for the rest of the first half. 

The story of the final did not change much in the second half and Makhete Diop punished Al Shabab and sealed the result in the 77th minute. The 28-year-old converted from close range to settle the tie and help Al Ahli to another piece of silverware. 

Cosmin Olaroiu’s charges will hope to gain inspiration from this win and make up ground on the UAE Pro-League title race. They currently trail Al Jazira by six points with six games remaining. 

But for now, they will revel in another successful cup campaign.