Cairo, Egypt — Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns go face to face on Friday night for a place in the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League. The match will take place at the Cairo International Stadium, following a first leg in Pretoria that ended in a goalless draw. Both teams have everything to play for in what is expected to be an intense showdown.
Despite Al Ahly’s storied history and dominance in African club football, Mamelodi Sundowns have recently enjoyed the upper hand in their encounters. The South African side has remained unbeaten against Al Ahly in their last eight clashes, scoring 11 goals while conceding only five. Al Ahly last defeated Sundowns in May 2021 and are determined to change that trend in front of their home fans.
Al Ahly’s defense has been formidable this season, with the team posting three consecutive clean sheets in the Champions League. Their defensive strength will be crucial, especially since Sundowns have struggled to find the back of the net, going 216 minutes without a goal in continental play. Peter Shalulile, who has found the net three times in the tournament, remains Sundowns’ main attacking threat.
On the flip side, Al Ahly’s midfielder Emam Ashour has been critical to their success, netting five goals — tied for the highest in the competition. He is expected to lead the charge as Al Ahly looks to capitalize on their home advantage. The Egyptian club has not lost in their last six home games across all competitions and has secured three wins in four home matches in this CAF Champions League season.
Mamelodi Sundowns, however, have not fared well on the road, managing only one win in four away matches this season. With the chance to reach the final on the line, both teams are poised to put up a strong fight in this highly anticipated encounter as the spotlight shines on Cairo.
