Al Ahly SC secured a 2-0 win over Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2020/2021 CAF Champions League quarterfinal first-leg game at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo on Saturday.
The win saw the Egyptian giants grab a 2-0 lead on aggregate ahead of the second-leg match which will be played in South Africa next weekend.
The visitors looked lively in the opening stages and nearly went ahead in the eighth minute but Peter Shalulile’s volley deflected just over the crossbar.
Mohamed El Shenawy came to Al Ahly’s rescue in the 17th minute as did well to deny Gift Motupa in a one-on-one situation, after some poor defending by the Red Eagles.
Pitso Moismane’s men went ahead on the 23rd minute when Taher Mohamed cut from the right side of the box to send a swerving strike past Deniss Onyango.
Rivalso Cortzee came close to equalizing for the Brazilians on the stroke of half-time with a dipping strike from a free-kick but El Shenawy was on hand to make the save.
The visitors certainly had most of the ball in the first half, although they struggled to bypass the Al Ahly defence, while the final ball was not up to par.
Mosimane’s men were quiet happy to sit back and defend, while hoping to catch Sundowns on the counter, which they did for the opening goal.
Mohamed Sherif was presented with a chance to double Al Ahly’ lead shortly after the break, but the striker somehow headed wide of the mark from six-yards out.
Amr El Solaya nearly got his name on the score-sheet in the 60th minute but his volley sailed just wide of the upright, after being picked out by Ayman Ashraf.
The visitors were presented with a chance to level matters in the 65th minute but Gaston Sirino blazed over from inside the area.
El Sheawy came to Al Ahly’ rescue in the 71st minute, as the shot-stopper pulled off two good saves to deny Lebusa and Erasmus in quick succession.
The Red Eagles sealed the win in the 89th minute when Salah Mohsen slid the ball home at the far post, after Onyango misjudged the flight of a long ball that was delivered from center of the pitch by Badr Benoun.
How they lined up:
Ahly: Mohamed El Shennawi – Mohamed Hani, Badr Benoun, Rami Rabia (Yasser Ibrahim 46), Ayman Ashraf (Mahmoud Wahid 83) – Aliou Dieng, Amr El Sulaya, Mohamed “Afsha” Magdi – Taher Mohamed Taher (Junior Ajayi 75), Hussein El Shahat (Salah Mohsen 61), Mohamed Sherif (Walter Bwalya 83).
Sundowns: Denis Onyango – Ricardo Nascimento, Rivaldo Coetzee, Gift Motupa (Promise Mkhuma 79), Sphelele Mkhulise, Thapelo Morena, Mosa Lebusa, Aubrey Maphosa (Lyle Lakay 79), Peter Shalulile, Leandro Sirino (Kermit Erasmus 68), Lebohang Maboe.
