Mamelodi Sundowns pick first win at Al Ahly after slim Caf Champions League victory
Mamelodi Sundowns got their first win over Al Ahly in Cairo thanks to a late winner by Thapelo Morena on Saturday evening.
Kennedy Mweene was given the start between the sticks for Sundowns as Denis Onynago was not available, while Teboho Mokoena was brought into the midfield.
For the hosts, Percy Tau was only named on the bench after recovering from injury while Luis Miquissone dropped to the bench despite netting twice this week.
The Red Devils looked to get off to a fast and were nearly rewarded after 14 minutes through Mohamed Sherif, but his goal-bound strike was blocked by Khuliso Mudau.
With the game being played a good tempo, there were a couple flying challenges and coach Rulani Mokwena took exception to one on Mudua in the 32nd minute, but his protests earned him a sending off.
While the hosts looked threatening going forward, Sundowns were unable to fashion any openings in the first half and only managed to trouble Mohammed El Shenawy once through Mokoena’s free-kick.
Pitso Mosimane opted for a change at the start of the second half, as Tau was introduced in place of Taher Mohamed as the hosts looked to get the opener.
Sundowns made a change of their own eight minutes after the break, with Haashim Domingo coming on for Andile Jali just moments before Lyle Lakay forced El-Shenawy into a fine save.
Tau thought he had found the breakthrough for the defending champions on 70 minutes when he lobbed the on-rushing Mweene, only to see the offside flag raised by the assistant.
The Red Devils were nearly gifted the opener on 82 minutes when Mweene’s error gifted the ball to Amr El Soleya , who saw his goal-bound strike cleared away by Rushine de Rueck.
Al Ahly were made to pay for that miss as Sundowns took the lead minutes later when Thapelo Morena broke free down the right before rifling the ball past El Shenway.
Mweene made a couple mistakes earlier in the game but he ensured Sundowns walked away with three points after producing a fine save in stoppage time, handing Sundowns their second win over Al Ahly in nine attempts.
Al Ahly: El Shenway, Hany, Abdelmoneim, Yasser, Maaloul, Hamdy, El-Sulaya, Dieng, Abdelkader, Taher, Sherif
Sundowns: Mweene, Coetzee, B.Onyango, De Reuck, Lakay, Jali, Mudau, Mokoena, Ralani, Zwane, Shalulile.
Subs: Pieterse, Kekana, Mvala, Modiba, Morena, Domingo, Kapinga, Erasmus, Maema
