Defending champions Al Ahly have moved into the semifinals of the 2020-21 CAF Champions League after a 1-1 draw away to Mamelodi Sundowns at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Tshwane, South Africa.

Al Ahly came into the game with a 2-goal advantage after a professional showing in the first leg at home in Cairo that saw them win 2-0.

The defending champions had a relatively comfortable outing in Pretoria as they managed a draw to win the tie 3-1 on aggregate and move a step closer to becoming the first club to win 10 continental crowns.

Ahly were allowed to settle into the game and struck a major blow early on as Yasser Ibrahim put the Red Devils 1-0 up after just 11 minutes. Amr El Soulia got a flick-on from a corner kick and Ibrahim nodded the ball home at the far post to put the defending champions in total control of the tie.

This took the aggregate score to 3-0 and it looked like an uphill task for the Downs as they now needed to win by 3 goals to have a chance to go through as the Egyptian champions had now snatched an away goal.

Sundowns gradually found their attacking rhythm and were rewarded with a goal on the half-hour mark, as a smart short corner kick routine saw Aubrey Modiba whip an in-swinging cross into the danger area, that Mosa Lebusa headed past goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy to make it 1-1 on the day but the South African club still had a mountain to climb.

 

 

‘The Brazilians‘ were clearly riding on the momentum following their goal and the rest of the first half was mainly played in Ahly half, though they found it tough to create chances against Pitso Mosimane‘s rugged Egyptian defence.

Sundowns made a double change in the 54th minute in hopes of turning the tide but substitute Mauricio Affonso’s header from a free-kick was well kept out by Al Ahly keeper and captain El Shenawy.

Kermit Erasmus and Gift Motupa were also introduced in the 65th minute for the Brazilians but they failed to really have a telling impact. Mamelodi did have a goal disallowed soon after, however, with Peter Shaluile adjudged to have handled before putting his low shot beyond the El Shanawy.

Sundowns had further attacking chances to score but failed to convert their chances. Take nothing away from El Shenawy, however, who pulled off another couple of top saves that left the hosts left frustrated in the end.

Al Ahly will face Esperance de Tunis (ES Tunis) in the semifinals next month in what will be an iconic clash between the two clubs that have 13 CAFCL titles between them.