Mamelodi Sundowns increased their reputation on the African stage with a historic win over Al Ahly in their CAF Champions League clash. Photo: Weam Mostafa/BackpagePix
WATCH: Mamelodi Sundowns pull off historic Al Ahly win in Egypt
Mamelodi Sundowns increased their reputation on the African stage with a historic win over Al Ahly in their CAF Champions League clash.
Mamelodi Sundowns increased their reputation on the African stage with a historic win over Al Ahly in their CAF Champions League clash. Photo: Weam Mostafa/BackpagePix
Mamelodi Sundowns increased their reputation on the African stage with a historic 1-0 victory over Egyptian giants Al Ahly in their CAF Champions League Group A clash in Cairo on Saturday, 26 February.
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Thapelo Morena’s 85th-minute strike proved the difference between the two sides as Mamelodi Sundowns came away with all three points at the Cairo International Stadium, a stunning result that sees the Brazilians move to the top of the group with seven points.
Al Ahly remain in third place with just one point, albeit with a game in hand.
With Denis Onyango unavailable, Mamelodi Sundowns started with Zambian veteran Kennedy Mweene in goal.
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Meanwhile, Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane faced off against his old club, but opted to leave former Mamelodi Sundowns star Percy Tau on the bench.
The Brazilians could have had a dream start to the match when Peter Shalulile picked out Teboho Mokoena in a dangerous position, but his effort was wide of the mark.
Al Ahly also showed some early enterprise, a well-worked move providing Mohamed Sherif with a chance to shoot, though Khuliso Mudau was there to make the block.
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Sherif was definitely one of the danger men for Al Ahly, although Brian Onyango and Rushine De Reuck were doing a good job of containing him.
A sideline distraction would not have been what the Mamelodi Sundowns players wanted, but that’s what they got when co-coach Rhulani Mokwena was shown a red card just after the half-hour mark for protesting.
Mosimane brought Tau on in the second half, but it was Mamelodi Sundowns who made early waves when Lyle Lakay saw his shot hit the upright, though he might have been attempting a cross.
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A few minutes later, Lakay was in action again with a strike that nearly got the better of Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, before Tau nearly scored against his former side at the other end, with only a desperate clearance on the line preventing the hosts from going in front.
Mamelodi Sundowns survived 2 injury time scares
But with time running out, it was Mamelodi Sundowns who snatched the victory, taking full advantage of a mistake from the Al Ahly defence who failed to clear their lines, allowing Thapelo Morena to smash it into the back of the net.
Al Ahly twice came close to snatching a draw in injury time, but Onyango came up trumps with a crucial block to deny the first chance before Mweene pulled off an unbelievable save from a dangerous header in the dying seconds to ensure Masandawana collected all three points.
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