Mamelodi Sundowns have advanced to the final round of the CAF Champions League following their 1-1 draw in the second leg tie of the semifinals against Al Ahly on Friday night at the Cairo International Stadium. It is the away goal that has helped them book the first spot in the final.
Downs pulled the first threat through Tashreeq Matthews, who had received the ball from Lucas Ribeiro’s cross. Set up nicely, Matthews’s attempt at goal rolled a few inches away from the target.
The hosts looked to make a strong statement through a free-kick awarded to them. The visitors made a good escape due to the mix of bodies in the area, causing the ball to be kicked over the bar. Al Ahly, however, managed to break the deadlock in the 24th minute. Beating the defence with a good run on the right flank, the hosts fired a shot to the near post, which went past Ronwen Williams.
Matthews came close to scoring again after being set up beautifully by Ribeiro but the ball was snatched off his feet in front of goal. To conclude the opening half, a speedy Thapelo Morena also had an opportunity to find the back of the net from the right flank but the defence matched his pace to clear the ball away. Masandawanawent to the break trailing.
The second stanza saw a dominant Bafana Ba Style who created plenty of chances and threatened the defence. Ribeiro rattled the defence with his two big chances. The first shot was punched away by the keeper, and the other, despite being in control, went over the bar.
Captain Themba Zwane, who was introduced in the 65th minute, came very close to finding the goal that would have levelled matters, after Ribeiro delivered the ball to him in front of goal. Zwane’s first touch was, however, heavy and saw the goalkeeper reach it before he could.
Even though they were defending in numbers, the Egyptian side was still looking to score more goals and tested the waters a few times. A steady Khuliso Mudau took cover and denied them a goal.
Awarded a free-kick from a tight angle, Teboho Mokoena delivered a shot inside the box which Arthur Sales tried to head in, but the defence were quick with their thinking as they cleared the ball out of danger.
Mokoena again, in the final stages of the match, tested the keeper with his long-range effort but was smacked away. A goal was scored before the regulation time came to an end. It came from the feet of the Al Ahly defence to go past the keeper and levelling matters.
With seven minutes added, Masandawana held on to the draw, which saw them reach the final round of the competition for the third time ever.