Mamelodi Sundowns have eliminated record 12-time CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly after a 1-1 draw at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday evening.
After a goalless draw at Loftus Versfeld last week, Sundowns had no shots on goal, but were confident of securing a result in Cairo to book a place in the final for the first time since winning the competition in 2016.
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However, the reigning champions, bouyed by over 70,000 supporters in their national stadium produced a workmanslike performance with Taher Mohamed’s thunderbolt in the opening half the difference over the two-legged affair.
Played in by talisman, Emam Ashour, the experienced playmaker smashed a rasping effort into the top corner of Ronwen Williams’ near post, but left him with no chance due to the sheer pace of which the ball hit.
Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Tashreeq Matthews went closest to scoring for Miguel Cardoso’s side, who lined up with the Brazilian as a false nine with Thapelo Morena and Matthews on either side of him.
The Red Devils managed to neutralise what Masandawana had thrown at them and took advantage of their lack of pace in defence for the goal, which both coaches noted over the past two weeks, could be the difference in the tie, the fine margins to be exploited.
But there was a late twist in the end when Iqraam Rayners forced an own goal from Yasser Ebrahim to stun the home crowd as all indications pointed at the home side advancing to the final – however, the away goal rule favoured the South African champions.
It’s their third final of the competition in their history and first since winning the cup in 2016, which to date is their only star in the club’s history.
