Mamelodi Sundowns played to a goalless draw against Egypt’s Al Ahly in a highly contested first leg of the CAF Champions League semifinal on Saturday afternoon at Loftus Versfeld.
Meetings between the two sides have always proven to be difficult, and this one was no exception. In the early minutes of the match, the hosts looked to cement their dominance through possession and threatening the visitors’ rearguard. Of course, Teboho Mokoena rose to the occasion and took the first chance of the game. His powerful effort, however, sailed over the bar.
Ronwen Williams was tested early in the game through a shot that came from a distance but he claimed the ball. He also managed to sweep another ball from a one-on-one situation, which he ran off his position to. Al Ahly tested the skipper a few times, the third time being from a headed effort which he comfortably cushioned.
Lucas Ribeiro, in the final stages of the opening half, had an opportunity to get on the scoresheet. He fired a low shot from the right flank but it went wide. The two sides went to the break deadlocked at 0-0.
Both sides had a nervy restart as they pushed to find the back of the net. The pressure was beginning to pile up and the frustration be evident because just inside 50 minutes, Masandawana were awarded a free-kick after forcing their visitors to make mistakes. A creative set-piece taken by Mokoena forced a save out of the goalkeeper, to deny the hosts an opener.
What was left of the remaining minutes of the match had both sides setting up traps to deny each other goals. Walls were high, and a low-block became the order of the day. Ribeiro tested the waters a few times, but as the most targeted, they were not giving him a chance to find the back of the net. Downs’ backline was also hard at work, ensuring no ball went past them. Despite the hard work displayed by both sides, no goals were scored at Loftus.
The Brazilians will now prepare for the second leg in Cairo which will be the ultimate decider on who will be advancing to the final round of the tournament.
How we lined up: Williams ©, Mudau, Kekana, Lebusa, Modiba, Mokoena, Allende, Adams, Ribeiro, Shalulile, Matthews.
Subs: Onyango, Suarez, Mdunyelwa, Tiwani, Mkhulise, Aubaas, Sales, Zwane, Rayners.
For the past two months I’ve been quiet not that I’ve got nothing to say regarding my team but what I’ve realised every coach around the world have got his favourite line-up we can talk till Jesus come but this coaches won’t listen to us even our previous one has their favourite players at the expense of others.
Our coach is keep on saying Lebo Mothibi is not match fit but to me I think he doesn’t like him since January or December this player is training with us but up until today he’s not on perfect condition whereas Shalulile is costing us big time and I never see a player who doesn’t time his running like him everytime he’s offside,lastly I once talk about the laziness of Ribeiro but others blamed me for not knowing football entlik that boy is costing us big time we are always short with one player whenever is playing and the coach is not substituting him,the boy is just too casual and walking on the field not that he’s playing on wring position he’s just too arrogant and lazy how I wish that team of France can take him next season,the only game he was on fire is a game against Pirates where we won by 4-1 at Loftus..
Yesterday our players were just playing as if we will win in Egypt nomakanjani no will to win and sense of urgency how I wish the league is finished and have new players because this one all of them I had enough of them.Kby forever
The only way for us to go to the finals is to defend in Cairo and force the game to the penalties. There’s no creativity from our midfield, Tebza and Allende are just one and the same player. They’re busy in that midfield, but one can’t even see what they’re busy with. They’re the masters of back and sideway passes. Zwane came on and there was some difference, even though Zwane is not fit. Zwane is way better than them combined, even at his age. My wish is for the coach to deploy Modiba in that midfield to make up for the lack of creativity, but knowing this coach, he’s just going to continue with the same tactics and the same line-up and hope for the better. Manqoba had a very good plan with this team, and I fully understood him when he spoke about periodirization. I’m just happy Cardoso won’t win anything for the team this season and he won’t be with us next season.
I have big trust on our players and i really believe that they will bring that result home, it not for the first time that we do it away, to our boys go there and do it for many south africans, let us shoot and aim for the target, Mshishi is here and i know he will do his best to create those openings. Masandawana let us support this team and give them that required courage. Ka bo yellow i stand.
Mangoba was the only coach who wanted to play for goals,he had a good plan,he was just unfortunate that he was sabotaged by spoiled players who wanted to dictated the coach to do things their way and was not protected by management.We played fast attacking football with lots of goals under him.I think management should just swallow their pride and bring him back for the benefit of the team.Example Costa played good football under him,even the likes Letlhaku,Khoza,Rayners and Mathews,where are they now?
We just need Maema and Zwane in that midfield,Adams doesn’t bring any creativity