One of the CAF Champions League's great modern rivalries will resume on Saturday as South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns host Egypt's Al Ahly in a semi-final first leg clash at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. Sundowns are smarting from a 2-1 Nedbank Cup semi-final loss to Kaizer Chiefs which dashed their treble hopes. However, this affords them an opportunity to focus all their resources on the Champions League and Betway Premiership.
Masandawana have a superb record against Al Ahly in recent years. However, Ahly have been more consistent in the knockout rounds of the CAF Champions League. Sundowns have been a powerhouse in African football over the last decade, but have only won the 2016 Champions League and the 2023 African Football League to show for it. Defending champions Ahly are the most successful team in African football history with 12 Champions League titles to their names.
Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso lost last season's final to Ahly while in charge of Tunisia's Espérance. Having beaten his former club with Sundowns in this season's quarter-finals, he will now look to settle the score with the Egyptian giants.
Key details: Date: Saturday, April 19 at 3:00 PM CAT (1:00 PM GMT, 9:00 AM ET) Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria How to watch: The match is available on SuperSport.
Team news: Mothobi Mvala, Lebo Mothiba, and Themba Zwane all missed Sundowns' 2-1 Nedbank Cup semi-final defeat to Kaizer Chiefs despite Cardoso saying two weeks ago that they were close to fitness. Rivaldo Coetzee and Siyabonga Mabena are other long-term injury absentees for Masandawana.
As per Egyptian publication Masrawy, Al Ahly were dealt a double injury blow in the 1-1 Egyptian Premier League draw with fellow CAF Champions League semi-finalists Pyramids FC. Attiat Allah suffered a hamstring strain and his replacement at left-back, Karim El Debes, suffered an ankle injury. The extent of both knocks is unclear.
Expected lineups: Mamelodi Sundowns LB Aubrey Modiba | CB Grant Kekana | CB Lucas Suárez | RB Khuliso Mudau CM Marcelo Allende | CM Teboho Mokoena | CM Jayden Adams LW Peter Shalulile | ST Iqraam Rayners | RW Lucas Ribeiro Costa Al Ahly LB Karim El Debes | CB Ramy Rabia | CB Achraf Dari | RB Mohamed Hany CM Marwan Attia | CM Akram Tawfik LW Achraf Bencharki | AM Nejc Gradišar | RW Emam Ashour ST Wessam Abou Ali.
Stats: Al Ahly have won four of the last five CAF Champions League titles. Mamelodi Sundowns are unbeaten in their last seven matches against Al Ahly (4 W, 3 D).
Miguel Cardoso believes Masandawana can get a positive result at home and get into the last hurdle. "Let's see how the opponent will approach the game, teams like the ones competing in this moment are teams that understand how to relate to the different moments of the game, so I believe the game will have different moments," Cardoso said.
Cardoso emphasized the importance of putting pressure on Al Ahly, stating, "Obviously playing home and away being an advantage or disadvantage is relative – because it also has a lot to do with the result from the first leg. Obviously if we can get a positive result without conceding, for example, that puts pressure on them because at any moment, a goal from us in the [away] leg can be very difficult to cope with, especially if we also scored at home."
This Champions League encounter is crucial for both teams, and Cardoso knows that calm heads will be necessary over the two legs. "There are many things we can't control that happen, but I believe the teams that express themselves best and the players excel are those that, on the base of what we do, also add something extra on the pitch," he added.
As Sundowns prepare to face Al Ahly, the stakes are high. The winner of this clash will certainly be the favorite to capture the trophy as both teams gear up for the first leg on Saturday in Pretoria. The return leg is scheduled for April 25 in Cairo, Egypt.
Mamelodi Sundowns have big ambitions and expectations beyond South African domestic football, having conquered the Champions League in 2016. However, they have had limited success against North Africa's top powerhouses since then, with semifinal finishes in the last two editions and three consecutive quarterfinal exits before that.
Head Coach Miguel Cardoso has taken over from a coaching team that previously included Rulani Mokwena and Manqoba Mngqithi, aiming to remedy the issues that led to previous eliminations. With a pragmatic approach, Cardoso is focused on results and has instilled a determination to grind out victories in tightly contested matches.
The Sundowns attack is poised to score more goals than any of the teams that won the last seven editions of South Africa's Betway Premiership. An infusion of South American talent, including Chilean big money signing Marcelo Allende and playmaker Lucas Ribeiro, has made a significant difference compared to past teams.
However, the big question for Cardoso remains which striker to select. Peter Shalulile is showing good form lately, while Iqraam Rayners has been productive this season but has struggled recently. The defense, led by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, has been steady, but moments of vulnerability have been noted in previous matches.
Al Ahly, on the other hand, are struggling in the Egyptian Premier League, sitting seven points behind leaders Pyramids FC. Despite being the defending champions and having won four of the last five editions of the Champions League, they have not looked convincing this season.
Head Coach Marcel Koller has an impressive history with teams like the Austria national team and FC Basel, but this season has been more challenging. Al Ahly's quarterfinal victory over Sudanese giants Al Hilal was not convincing, and they will need to remain secure defensively against a potent Sundowns attack.
Al Ahly's attack has not performed at its best, and the lack of a top playmaker leaves them relying on wide attackers like Achraf Bencharki. Emam Ashour, the team's leading scorer, will need to step up if they wish to qualify for the final. The central defense, while experienced, may struggle against the pace of Sundowns' attackers.
As both teams prepare for this high-stakes encounter, the atmosphere is expected to be electric. Fans from both sides are eager to see their teams battle it out for a chance at glory in one of Africa's most prestigious tournaments.
With the first leg just around the corner, all eyes will be on Loftus Versfeld as Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly clash in a match that promises to be thrilling and filled with drama.
