Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly drew 2-2 in what was a scintillating encounter in the CAF Champions League at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo.
The two African giants produced an entertaining draw on Saturday evening, Peter Shalulile scored the first and Thapelo Morena the second in the Brazilians away encounter in the continental competition.
The home team were quick to put Masandawana under pressure in the opening minutes of the first half, goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was forced to make a save within two minutes into the game and gave Ahly their first corner in the match. An intense ten minutes followed between the two sides with the Red Devils having most of the ball possession while Sundowns tried to find their rhythm.
Shortly after searching for the ball, Downs delivered their first threat towards goal but an offside call was made for Peter Shalulile. The Namibian international delivered a strike a few minutes later that went over Mohammed El Shenawy’s goalposts. Shalulile received his pass from Marcelo Allende after the ball was well worked in the middle of the park between Sphelele Mkhulise and Themba Zwane.
The Brazilians pace and momentum picked up with each minute being played and their intentions were clear, Allende fouled by Abdel Kader and a promising free kick was awarded the way of Sundowns just outside the edge of the box. Aubrey Modiba’s swing into the far right side offside could not be completed as the offside flag went up as the players attempted to capitalize on the opportunity.
Downs goalie had to come off his line quickly to make a save before Percy Tau could latch on to the ball in the box and put Masandawana back into action. After twenty five minutes of a thrilling end-to-end clash, a very close chance at goal for Shalulile came through a corner kick delivered on the right side of the pitch but his shot was slightly off target and the score remained goalless.
The Namibian international striker opened the scoring for Bafana Ba Style five minutes after the half hour mark when Cassius Mailula put in a low cross from the left side past into the box allowing Shalulile to tap home. The Sundowns goal poacher was in the act of scoring his second goal shortly after replay but his header was directed outside.
With five minutes left to play in the first half, the home team came close to equalizing but Khuliso Mudau cleared the ball out for a corner kick. Ahly played the ball into the box and Williams made his final save and Sundowns went into the break leading with a goal to zero.
The second half started lively for Masandawana while the Red Devils looked to chase from behind. The home team was awarded a penalty when the clock hit fifty minutes, Mohamed Hany stepped up to face Williams but his shot was brilliantly saved by the Bafana Bafana international goalie.
Downs almost extended their lead before the hour, Mailula took a clean shot on target before it was blocked by Ahly bodies and the rebound taken by Sundowns but went straight at the goalkeeper. After the Brazilians did well to put the home side under pressure, Mohamed Abdul scored from a corner kick and leveled the play in Cairo.
Aubrey Modiba took a long range shot from the left as Masandawana looked to get back in the lead but El Shenawy was ready to make the save. El Shahat found the second goal for Ahly and put his team in front and from there the two sides exchanged chances.
With fifteen minutes to go in the second half, Downs found their breakthrough and secured a crucial second through Thapelo Morena who had come on for Themba Zwane. The Brazilians remain at the top of Group B in the CAF Champions League with seven points after three matches played and will host Al Ahly in the return leg on the 11th of March at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
This is how we lined up:
Williams, Mvala, Mudau (85′ B. Onyango), Kekana, Modiba, Mokoena, Allende, Mkhulise (57′ Maema), Zwane © (64′ Morena), Mailula (8′ Motupa), Shalulile (64′ Zungu)
Subs: D. Onyango, Lebusa, Zungu, B. Onyango, Maema, Motupa, Domingo, Morena, Coetzee
Thanks for the draw Masandawana good performance away from home but I am not so happy about Modiba how he play, he have lot of dangerous mistakes and its not the first and not not second time it’s not from him…. Very disappointed by Gift Motupa, he can’t run I don’t know he was just tired, maybe he was playing in the bench…. If a play come from a bench must prove that he is fresh… I encourage Mailula and Sha Sha that they must make sure that they use their chance to score we don’t have a room of missing to much…well done managers but learn to substitute in time . Yesterday we needed a player Nassir skillful and speed in front towards the end of game
Seconded member modiba is not good defending he can’t even mark or stop the opponent from making cross, I was also disappointed with modau, he was very poor but I’m happy we got draw.
KaboYellow Masandawana!!!!!!
That was a tense game. As much as it wrong to tell technical team what to do, I feel Shalulile and Zwane were going to be more useful had they were introduced in the second half with Morena and Maema starting the game. Besides that, The Sky Is The Limit. Mailula is becoming our reliable source. Last game he scored twice and this time he made two assists. “Minwana Phezulu”
Haahaahaahaaa, I see what you did there Webbie. Well done to the boys, they really played beyond my expectations. I don’t know why they’re still scared of playing AL Ahly by this time ’cause the mistakes they were creating clearly shows they were nervous. Can someone please tell Peter Shalulile to calm down sometimes, everything about him is always hurried even unnecessarily. He could’ve scored three goals in the 1st half if he had composed himself. There’s a lot he can learn from Cashius Mailula about composure. Zwane was clearly tired in the 2nd half for obvious reasons
AL Ahly is not a child’s play but hey guys give yourselves a round of applause.Sundownsfc is a bunch of winners,Sundowns is not a pushover scoring 2 goals in Cairo is not simple.Rhulani knows why is selecting Modiba& is for no good reasons but only favoritism,&and knows everytime Sundowns concedes a goal his side is where is so porous.Great game now we can win 2 games at home close shop.Everybody will be given a fair chance to play for this magnificent team.
Modau did not play well this time around!! As for Mvala this is not the last penalty he is going to give away!! The way he is easily beaten on 1 v 1 and the way he throws himself in tackles more panalties are still coming!! Modiba is not a defender at all but those 2 players are the favorite sons of the current head coach!!
The team and the technical must stop banking on home ground, special on knock out stages… If they get a chance away must kill the game there, to easier our job when the team come to visit us…
We’ll said Skhumba, I also think B Onyango is erratic, when is Rushine coming back or even Rivaldo for that position