Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly could not be separated in their first leg CAF Champions League semi-final at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday afternoon.
In a rather underwhelming opening half that appeared to follow the same script as their clash at the same venue against Esperance Sportive de Tunis, barring a goal, it was Sundowns playing from side to side trying to break down the resistance of a stubborn defence of the Red Devils.
But it was Nejc Gradisar who went closest to opening the scoring in the opening half in Tshwane as he hit the post just on the brink of half time.
Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso made a couple of changes from the side that were eliminated from the Nedbank Cup against Kaizer Chiefs with Mosa Lebusa, Aubrey Modiba, Tashreeq Matthews, and Jayden Adams returning to the starting XI in favour of Lucas Suarez, Divine Lunga, Iqraam Rayners and Bathusi Aubaas.
And for all their individual quality, Ahly had the game controlled in the critical phases, looking comfortable in defending anything Masandawana had thrown at them.
The introduction of Themba Zwane, Artur Sales and Rayners seemed to have spurned the home side and crowd alive in the final stages of the first leg but again, the Egyptian champions went closest to scoring as they had the ball twice in the net but both were ruled out for offside.
Mohamed El Shenaway was not forced into making any saves, and while Ronwen Williams was not busy either, they game goes goalless to the return leg in Cairo next week – to determine one of the 2025 finalist of Africa’s elite club competition.
