The great surprise of the CAF Champions League: Al Ahly will not go to the final, stopped by Mamelodi Sundowns

This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:

Hibapress-Rabat-Caf

At the end of a breathtaking scenario, Mamelodi Sundowns snatched his ticket for the final of the Totalnergies Champions League by holding Al Ahly in check (1-1) Friday evening in Cairo. A sufficient draw, thanks to the rule of goal outside, to open the doors of the last meeting.

After a first aimless act in Pretoria, the return round at the Cairo International Stadium quickly turned to the advantage of the Egyptians. In the 24th minute, Taher Mohamed released his family by unchecking a powerful strike from outside the surface, perfectly served by the untenable Emam Ashour.

Carried by an incandescent audience, Al Ahly has long believed conjure his curse in front of the South Africans. More sharp, dominating in the midfield, Marcel Koller’s men seemed to hold their revenge.

But Sundowns, faithful to its reputation of mental solidity, reversed the dynamics in the Money Time. Ten minutes from the end, a tense center sowed panic in the defense of the Cairote club: under pressure from Peter Shalile, Yasser Ibrahim, in an unhappy gesture, propelled the ball into his own nets.

A blow for Al Ahly. A breath of hope for Sundowns, who knew that a sharing of points would be enough to propel him into the final.

The Egyptians then threw all their forces into the battle, multiplying the desperate offensives. Entering the game, Achraf Bencharki and Wessam Abou Ali have each bordered on the saving goal in a completely unbridled final.

But the defense of the Sundowns, intractable around his captain Ronwen Williams, held out, even allowing himself a touch of success to resist the latest opposing waves.

At the end of the effort, the Pretoria club offers a historic qualification. Mamelodi Sundowns, now undefeated since nine confrontations against the Egyptian giant, will play the final against the duel winner between Pyramids FC and Orlando Pirates.

For Al Ahly, it is an immense disillusionment: despite a courageous performance, the hope of adding a new continental trophy to their collection has brutally shattered in their lair in Cairo.