Al Ahly secure CAF Champions League semifinals spot after holding Mamelodi Sundowns to a 1-1 draw in Pretoria
Sundowns hosted Al Ahly at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium for the second leg of the CAF Champions League quarter finals where the South Africans trailed 2-0 from the first leg in Cairo before this game.
Al Ahly knew very well of their today’s opponents after suffering a 5-0 disease in the hands of Downs in last year’s Champions League, and Weiler approached the game in a more cautious manner, unleashing Junior Ajayi, Al-Sulaya and Geraldo behind strong and bulky Aliou Badji in a four-two-three-one system.
The system worked well for the visitors, going ahead after 21 minutes when Lebohang Maboe directed Ahly’s free kick from the right flank into his own posts.
But before Ahly’s opener, thanks to the Egyptian keeper Mohamed El-Shenawy who denied Downs on the 3rd minutes to keep Ahly’s ambition of the afternoon on course.
With their free flowing football, making it somehow difficult for Ahly to contain whenever they break, Downs drew on level just six minutes later after Gaston Sirino scored from a rebound.
Badji should have restored Ahly’s lead on the 43rd minute but the Senegalese was dispossessed inside the box after been sent through by Al-Sulaya from the right edge of the box. On the 57th minute, El-Shenawy deny Sundowns again, this time, saving the situation following Downs’ long drive from outside the box.
Today’s draw have progressed Weiler’s side to the semifinals of the African Champions League, and that is a sweet revenge for Al Ahly after been humiliated in a 5-1 score line by this same opponent at this same stage.
The Egyptians meet either Wydad Athletic Club or Etoile Sportive du Sahel, who the two engage themselves later today.
