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Zwane were withdrawn in favour of Bongani Zungu and Thapelo Morena.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.
