Mamelodi Sundowns dominated proceedings in a 1-0 victory over Al Ahly at Loftus Stadium in the first leg of their African Football League semi-final tie.
It was Al Ahly with the early opportunities, as the Egyptian giants continued to seek that elusive win in South Africa, but Ronwen Williams made a simple save in the third minute from Aliou Dieng’s long-range attempt.
But after an intense opening five minutes, that also saw Khuliso Mudau pick up an early booking, Sundowns wrestled control to their favour. From that point it was the home team who dominated, with the Egyptians limited to rare counter-attacks.
After Thapelo Maseko was fouled in the eleventh minute, Sundowns were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position, but Marcello Allende’s attempt from the set piece was always going over.
But it was going to take something for Sundowns to get through as Ahly were defending with almost everyone behind the ball, with Marcelo Koller’s team applying a low block.
But Themba Zwane almost broke through in the 21st minute as he ran onto Allende’s long pass, but the Sundowns captain’s first touch was too strong and Mohamed El Shenawy was able to gather. Moments later Rivaldo Coetzee tried from range but went narrowly wide.
Aubrey Modiba’s attempt from a free kick in the 29th minute went just over, and a minute later Maseko had arguably the best chance so far as he was at the end of an excellent ball into the box by Teboho Mokoena, but El Shenawy was able to get a hand onto the headed attempt. Another Modiba attempt in the 38th minute also went over.
At half-time the score remained goalless.
Modiba went narrowly wide a minute after the second half kicked off, but the deadlock was finally broken in the 52nd minute as Maseko fired in an excellent shot from 25 yards out that beat El Shenawy to make it 1-0.
Coetzee went narrowly close with a clever flick from a corner in the 56th minute, while Mohamed El Sayed had a rare chance at the other end in the 62nd minute but blasted over.
Sundowns thought they had a penalty in the 67th minute for a foul on substitute Junior Mendieta, but after a VAR check referee Louis Houngnandande from Benin waved play on.
Two minutes later El Shenawy made a crucial save after Mudau pounced on a loose ball just in front of the keeper, but couldn’t beat the Egyptian keeper.
Percy Tau, who had been kept quiet for most of the game, almost robbed Williams of the ball in the 75th minute, but Sundowns’ number one was able to recover and dive on the ball.
Lesiba Nku had a good chance to add to the scoreline in the 87th minute, but his first touch let him down and the opportunity was wasted. Mosa Lebusa went over from a corner in stoppage time, but Sundowns weren’t able to add to their tally, despite the late pressure, with the woodwork denying Bongani Zungu moments later.
Apart from the opening five minutes, it was a very dominant performance by Rulani Mokwena’s team, but they will be disappointed to not be heading to the second leg with a bigger winning margin. Perhaps the lack of an outright striker was the issue, and Mokwena will be praying one of his injured front men returns soon.
