Mamelodi Sundowns boss vow to exploit ‘weak’ Ahly defence in Caf Champions League
Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi believes they can exploit the “weak” defence of CAF Champions League opponents Al Ahly of Egypt in Pretoria on Saturday and reach the semi-finals.
The South Africans are in an identical position to last season — trailing record nine-time champions Ahly 2-0 entering the second leg of a quarter-final. The 2020 return match ended 1-1.
“Ahly have a weak defence. They are an attacking team not used to defending. We can exploit that and score multiple goals,” said Mngqithi.
An Ahly defence backed by outstanding goalkeeper Mohamed el Shenawy has kept six clean sheets in nine Champions League outings this season, conceded one goal once and two twice.
Here, AFP Sport looks ahead to the second legs with first-time quarter-finalists Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa and Chabab Belouizdad of Algeria poised to progress.
The title-holders Ahly have been a bogey team for Sundowns, winning five of nine previous Champions League meetings and drawing three.
“We have a small advantage (2-0) which gives us confidence and puts pressure on the opposition,” said Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane, who moved to Cairo from Sundowns last September.
While Sundowns boast numerous potential scorers, the overall outcome could hinge on whether they can keep a clean sheet as an Ahly goal would almost certainly prove decisive.
