Mamelodi Sundowns have secured a coveted place in the final of the CAF Champions League following a tense and decisive semi-final second-leg against Al Ahly in Cairo on Friday night.
The SA champions achieved this feat by holding the reigning Champions League title holders to a 1-1 draw, a result that saw them progress to the final based on the away goals rule after the first-leg in Pretoria last ended goalless.
The return game between the Egyptian powerhouse and Bafana Ba Style took place at a packed and lively Cairo International Stadium.
In the opening 20 minutes of the game, a cagey affair unfolded as both Sundowns and Al Ahly presented resolute defences, effectively neutralising each other’s attacking forays.
However, the vociferous support of the home crowd appeared to galvanise Al Ahly, who gradually gained the ascendancy. This sustained pressure culminated in the 24th minute when Taher Mohamed successfully breached the Sundowns’ defence, giving the Egyptian side the lead.
EGYPTIAN GIANTS Al AHLY KNOCKED OUT BY MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
The Egyptian giants went into the interval leading the Miguel Cardoso-coached outfit with a 1-0 scoreline, as Sundowns couldn’t create many scoring opportunities.
Al Ahly returned into the second stanza with more confidence and determined to protect their lead. On the other hand, Sundowns tried to give the hosts’ goalkeeper problems with shots from outside the box, however, their efforts were fruitless.
Undeterred, Masandawana gradually built momentum and seized control of the match as the clock ticked down, displaying a relentless determination to find an equaliser. Their persistence finally paid off in the 90th minute when Iqraam Rayners’ strike found the back of the net.
This late equaliser meant that Marcel Koller’s Al Ahly would not advance to the Champions League final, thus ending their aspirations of defending their title against either Orlando Pirates or Pyramids FC.
Al Ahly boasts an impressive record of 12 CAF Champions League titles, having defeated Esperance 1-0 in the previous season’s final. Interestingly, Esperance were then under the guidance of Miguel Cardoso, the current coach of Mamelodi Sundowns.
Ultimately, despite their pedigree, Al Ahly’s journey in this campaign concluded at the semi-final stage, as Mamelodi Sundowns secured their place in the Champions League final by virtue of the away goals rule.
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