CAF Champions League: Mamelodi Sundowns Complete Demolition Job Over African Champions Al Ahly

CAF Champions League: Mamelodi Sundowns Complete Demolition Job Over African Champions Al Ahly

Keba Mothoagae
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:58 PM
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Africa
  • Mamelodi Sundowns ensured that they became the first South African side to whitewash Al Ahly in any African competition
  • A Peter Shalulile strike led the Brazilians to a fairly comfortable 1-0 over the Red Devils at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg
  • The win all but confirmed Sundowns' passage into the quarterfinals of the CAF Champions League, while the defending champions are now playing for their survival in the competition

Mamelodi Sundowns made history by becoming the first South African team to complete the double over Al Ahly in African competitions.

A Peter Shalulile strike in the 23rd minute ensured that the Brazilians replicated their 1-0 victory over Pitso Mosimane's side two weekends ago at the Cairo International Stadium away.

caf champions league, mamelodi sundowns, al ahly, south africa, egypt
Mamelodi Sundowns enjoyed a comfortable win over Egyptian superclub Al Ahly. Image source: @KickOff/Twitter
Source: Twitter

The loss extended Ahly's wait for its first ever victory over South African opponents on these shores. This is now the 14th attempt since 2001 - when they ironically played Sundowns - that the Red Devils have failed to win on their travels to the southern tip of the continent.

Ahly absolutely dominated possession for the entirety of the match, holding the ball 63% of the time in comparison to Sundowns' 37%. However, the tactically adept South Africans made this count for little, outshooting the visitors by 14 shots to seven in a match they could have won far more comfortably.

The win leaves Masandawana on 10 points, all but locked down for a quarterfinal spot. Ahly, on the other hand, are in a pickle, stuck on four points along with Sudanese teams Al-Hilal and Al-Merrikh.

CAF Champions League: Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mnqqithi expecting heat from Pitso Mosimane's Al Ahly

Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi believes both teams will be going for the victory when his side host Al Ahly in their CAF Champions League Group A clash at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

As reported by Sports Brief, Ahly has yet to win in South Africa in 13 previous attempts, and with former Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane at the helm, will be smarting from their historic loss to The Brazilians in Cairo last month.

Sundowns could all but ensure top spot in the pool with a win, but Mngqithi believes Ahly will have victory on their minds going into the game.

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Keba Mothoagae
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