On Saturday night, Mamelodi Sundowns’ unbeaten record in the CAF Champions League group stage came to an end after a thrilling 2-2 draw with Al Ahly. The Tshwane giants had two changes to their side, with Themba Zwane and Peter Shalulile returning to the starting lineup, while Percy Tau was handed a start for the Red Devils.
Sundowns made their attacking intentions clear in the opening exchanges as Ahmed Abdelkader unleashed a threatening low shot in the box that forced goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to stretch and make a save. The Brazilians eventually settled into their passing rhythm and were creating chances, with Shalulile having a strike that was kept out of goal by shot-stopper Mohamed El Shenawy after 18 minutes. Chances kept on falling for the Tshwane giants, who were on the front foot and the Namibian eventually broke the deadlock ten minutes before the interval with a tap-in from a cross by Cassius Mailula.
A thrilling North-South Derby in Cairo comes to a close and the spoils are shared!
Al Ahly (59′ Abdelmonem, 74′ El Shahat) 2⃣➖2⃣ Mamelodi Sundowns (35′ Shalulile, 80′ Morena)Sundowns DownsLive TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/656yWmGAFT
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 25, 2023
The game opened up in the tail end of the first stanza as Al Ahly threatened to get back into the game but the Brazilians were solid at the back and took their narrow lead to the break. The home side had another quick start in the second stanza after they were awarded a penalty five minutes from the break after a foul by Mothobi Mvala on Tau, but Mohamed Hany saw his spot-kick saved by Williams.
The game stretched from end to end, with Sundowns having chances but Marcel Koller’s men eventually equalised on the hour-mark thanks to a header by Mohamed Abdelmonem from a corner by Ali Maaloul. Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena responded with a double change after that as Shalulile and Zwane were withdrawn in favour of Bongani Zungu and Thapelo Morena.
However, Hussein El Shahat gave the Red Devils the lead in the last 16 minutes with a low strike in the box that found the bottom corner from a long ball by El Shenawy. Sundowns had the fighting spirit in them and just after Mailula was denied by the post, Morena fired home the equaliser ten minutes before time with a strike from a tight angle.
Al Ahly had the momentum in the dying minutes as they searched for the winner but the Brazilians crowded the central defensive areas after the introduction of Brian Onyango and settled for the share of the spoils. Sundowns extended their lead at the top of Group B by a point and were still six points clear of the record champions, who got their first point in the section.
