Pitso Mosimane (l) celebrates with goalscorer Phakamani Mahlambi during the 2018/19 CAF Champions League football match between Sundowns and Al Ahly at Lucas Moripe Stadium, Pretoria on 06 April 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Sundowns anticipate a much-improved showing from Al Ahly
On their last visit to South Africa, Al Ahly conceded five goals to Mamelodi Sundowns.
Pitso Mosimane (l) celebrates with goalscorer Phakamani Mahlambi during the 2018/19 CAF Champions League football match between Sundowns and Al Ahly at Lucas Moripe Stadium, Pretoria on 06 April 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Expectations are high for Mamelodi Sundowns, who turn up against Al Ahly in the first leg of their Champions League quartefinal tie.
The two giants of African soccer meet at the famous Cairo International Stadium on Saturday, in somewhat of a grudge match after the South Africans put the Red Devils to the sword on their last visit to Tshwane.
It was at a similar stage of the competition where the eight-time African champions suffered a 5-0 defeat at the hands of the Tshwane Giants, who eventually won the tie 5-1 on aggregate.
Coach Pitso Mosimane is not expecting another rout, and anticipates a much-improved performance from Al Ahly.
“It’s a tough game for us, with big expectations, of course, but we understand the mood and mentality from last year’s results. We know it’s not going to be the same,” said Mosimane.
“We are facing Ahly at the wrong time. They’ve been winning everything here – if I’m not mistaken it’s been 15 or 16 games [winning streak].
“I think they’ve scored more than 40 goals, conceded maybe less than five, and even Real Madrid or Barcelona don’t have such a record.
“So, that’s why we are very cautious, tread carefully and we respect their space. That’s where we are. “I don’t know where the pressure is, but if it’s on us to repeat the same result then it’s not possible. That happened once, it’s history, it will never happen again.”
Pitso Mosimane
Resurgent Al Ahly await Tshwane Giants
Al Ahly have enjoyed a near-perfect season domestically, winning all of their league games to open up a considerable gap at the top of the Egyptian Premier League.
They will be further boosted by the most recent result, a 2-0 win over bitter rivals Zamalek.
Sundowns, on the other hand, remain unbeaten in the ongoing edition of the Champions League and finished top of Group C ahead of the likes of Wdad Athletic Club and USM Alger.
The match kicks off at 18:00 (SAST).
