Why do North African sides continue to dominate football in Africa?

JSK's comprehensive victory over Tonnerre Yaounde capped a brilliant month for North Africa's club sides in continental competition.

Egypt's Zamalek and Morocco's Raja Casablanca will contest the final of the Champions League - a trophy won last year by another Egyptian club, Al Ahly - after beating West African opposition in the semi-final.

And Ahly have even proved capable of matching Europe's best, beating Real Madrid and AS Roma in friendlies.

Why are North African sides so dominant? What do they have that other sides lack?

And how can the rest of Africa redress the balance?

This debate is now closed. A selection of your emails appears below.

Let's put it this way, why do North African countries flop at the Fifa World Cups?
Shaky Xan, USA

The answer is simple: corruption. Most of the sub-Saharan club officials don't care about the clubs. Instead of reinvesting the little funds that they make, they use it for their personal needs. The players are not rewarded for their efforts. Not even better stadia, food, nor a decent mode of transportation. They are so corrupt. They all need to be put in jail.
Emmanuel Bilikha, USA

Very simple, organisation and committment, something that teams from other parts of Africa (most notably West Africa) lack.
Z, UK

It's all about talent and skills, plus clubs in North Africa have better infrastructure than other parts in Africa. This year two Moroccan teams are in the final of two different Caf championships - Wydad Casablanca in Caf Cup Winners' Cup and Raja Casablanca in the Champions League.
Hassan, Morocco

I think the reason why North African clubs dominate the Caf competitions are simply because they have more experience. Some hire foriegn coaches like Raja Casablanca. Lots of the clubs have really good players like Bibo for Al Ahly and Hossam for Zamelek. There leagues are the best in Africa like the Moroccan, Tunisian, and Egyptian domestic leagues.
David, Morocco

North Africans invest money in players, and transfer them at the right time to reinvest. West African sides let players go while they are young (with under-cover transanctions) benefitting NOT the clubs, but...
Edmund, Ghana/ Germany-study

Question: Why do North African sides continue to dominate football in Africa? Answer: Simple! The best players sub-saharan Africa have to offer are already playing in Europe, while some play for North African clubs - equation balanced!
Tunji Cox, USA

I think the North African FAs are more organized and less corrupt than the rest of Africa.
Ben Mouss, USA