Al Ahly have responded to the apology sent out by Mamelodi Sundowns following the ugly scenes in Alteridgeville on Saturday.
Pitso Mosimane and the Al Ahly team bus had been confronted by a few Masandawana fans ahead of their second leg in the CAF Champions League.
The game ended 1-1 seeing Al Ahly progress 3-1 on aggregate but Mosimane was distraught about the scenes around the game, expressing his feelings in an emotional press conference.
Downs apologised on Sunday to “Al Ahly and its associated staff” without mentioning their former coach by name.
On Monday, the Egyptian giants accepted Masandawana’s apology, saying they have no intention to launch an official complaint with CAF due to both’s clubs strong relationship.
“Al Ahly’s board of directors sent an official letter to Tlhopie Motsepe, President of Mamelodi Sundowns, emphasizing on the tight relations between Al Ahly and Sundowns,” reads Al Ahly’s statement.
“Al Ahly highlighted in the letter the club’s appreciation to the apology of Mamelodi Sundowns’ board for the inappropriate actions before and during the game between Al Ahly and Sundowns on Saturday in the second leg of the CAF Champions League quarter-finals, which reflects the eagerness of Mamelodi Sundowns officials on portraying sportsmanship.
“Al Ahly clarified several important points, including that the club has no intention to file any complaints against the South African side as a sign of mutual respect between both clubs.
“Also, Al Ahly mentioned that having Dr. Patrice Motsepe at the top of the African football hierarchy causes Al Ahly to overcome any hurdles as Dr. Motsepe enjoys a strong relationship with Al Ahly and the club’s officials, noting that Al Ahly officials support Dr. Motsepe’s efforts to develop football in Africa.
“Moreover, Al Ahly added that the club puts things in its appropriate context and will not let what happened affect the relationship between the South African giants and the club’s former coach and our current coach, Pitso Mosimane.
“Al Ahly highlighted in their letter that the club appreciates having Mosimane as the football team’s head coach and that he deserved better reception after what he has done during his time with the South African club, adding that Mosimane enjoys respect from football fans in Egypt and South Africa.
“Al Ahly concluded their letter by saying that the club appreciates the decision of Mamelodi Sundowns’ board to conduct an investigation over the actions that surrounded the game.”
Meanwhile, MT Sports, the representatives of Mosimane in South Africa also published a statement but were not as happy about the apology as Mosimane’s new club.
