Pitso Mosimane and his Al Ahly side secured a goalless draw in their Group A opener against Al Hilal in Omdurman on Friday afternoon.
Mosimane set out a relatively strong side with the options at his disposal with the likes of Ahmed Abdelkader and Mohamed Abdelmonem rewarded with starts for their displays in the FIFA Club World Cup.
In the blistering 33 degrees heat for the match that kicked off at 15h00, the Sudanese giants will feel unlucky not to have produced a shock against the reigning champions.
Despite not dominating possession, they created more chances with 12 shots on goal to the Red Devils’ four as they notably lacked their usual fluidity and intensity in the Khartoum state.
Mohamed Magdy Afsha did, however, nearly find a winner in stoppage time but his fierce effort struck the post past a beaten Ali Abu Eshrein.
Prior to the group stages, Mosimane admitted that winning away in Sudan is not something that happens often with home ties for the Club of the Century, Mamelodi Sundowns and Al-Merrickh imperative to have a chance to progress from what’s been dubbed the Group of Death.
With Sundowns having beat Hilal in Rustenberg last week, a win over Merrickh on Saturday could hand them a five point advantage, albeit having played a game more Lee Clarke and Mosimane’s respective sides.
Ahly will now turn their attention to Masandawana who they will face in Cairo next week, in a fixture that will no doubt have the attract the attention of the entire continent.
