Mamelodi Sundowns maintained their unbeaten record against Al Ahly with a goalless draw at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, but the stalemate has simultaneously complicated their CAF Champions League prospects heading into the decisive return-leg in Cairo.
The draw in the first-leg of the semi-final clash on Saturday afternoon extended Sundowns’ unbeaten streak against Al Ahly to eight matches since 2021. Meanwhile, Ahly’s winless record in SA continued, as the Egyptian giants have now failed to secure a victory in their last 17 games against PSL sides, with 10 draws and seven losses since 2001.
While Sundowns have consistently outplayed Al Ahly since 2021, this superiority hasn’t translated into continental success. They haven’t reached the Champions League final since 2016, a stark contrast to Al Ahly’s two titles during the same period.
The match in Pretoria saw Sundowns dominate possession, as expected, looking to utilise their passing game, but they struggled to create clear-cut chances against a resilient and well-organised Al Ahly defence.
Sundowns’ attack was largely toothless, failing to truly test Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.
NO SHOTS ON TARGET: SUNDOWNS’ OFFENSIVE STRUGGLES AGAINST AL AHLY
The action started early. In the 8th minute, Al Ahly’s Ahmed Hashem fired from outside the box, but his shot went wide. Sundowns responded quickly, with Teboho Mokoena trying a long-range effort three minutes later, but it also missed.
As the first-half wore on, Al Ahly’s attack gained momentum. By the 15th minute, Emam Ashour forced a save from Ronwen Williams. Immediately after, Tashreeq Matthews couldn’t convert Aubrey Modiba’s cross inside the box for the PSL champions.
The game remained open. Modiba then shot wide from distance in the 19th minute. Al Ahly threatened again in the 24th minute from a set-piece, with Dari heading Ashour’s cross off target.
Around the half-hour mark, Ashour’s header was saved. Sundowns then had a flurry of chances in the 34th minute through Ribeiro Costa, who couldn’t connect with crosses from Khuliso Mudau and Modiba.
Drama struck just before half-time when Nejc Gradisar’s header, assisted by Ashour, beat the keeper but hit the post in the 45th minute.
After the break, Al Ahly continued to push. Six minutes in, Gradisar shot wide again. In the 55th minute, Mokoena tried another long-range attempt for Sundowns, but it missed the mark.
Just before the hour mark, Grant Kekana made a crucial block to deny Taher Mohamed a potential Al Ahly goal.
As the game progressed, both teams made substitutions to inject fresh energy into their attacks. In the 62nd minute, Sundowns introduced Iqraam Rayners for Peter Shalulile and Arthur Sales for Matthews, followed by Themba Zwane replacing Jayden Adams in the 70th minute.
It was captain Zwane’s first appearance since late September 2024, having just recovered from a long injury. Despite the changes, Sundowns’ attack remained blunt.
Miguel Cardoso’s troops pressed late, but Al Ahly’s defence held firm while looking for a goal themselves. Al Ahly had two goals disallowed for offside, showing their attacking intent, but couldn’t find the net.
The match concluded in a 0-0 draw.
Al Ahly will likely feel more positive heading into the return-leg in Cairo, having avoided conceding in Pretoria. They will be confident at home against a Sundowns side that has averaged only two shots on target in their last three matches and failed to register a single shot on target in this first-leg.
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