A packed house at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria was in full voice behind hosts Mamelodi Sundowns who dealt a major blow to the CAF Champions League hopes of Egyptian titans Al Ahly with a 5-2 victory in Group B action on Saturday. Peter Shalulile scored twice for Masandawana who were ruthless in attack and clinched a spot in the CAFCL quarterfinals with the result, moving into first place in Group B on ten points. Ahly, in third place on four points through four matches, are in serious danger of failing to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2016.
A sea of supporters clad in yellow turned out for a highly anticipated duel and hosts Sundowns did not disappoint, opening the scoring just after three minutes. Themba Zwane passed to Marcelo Allende and the Chilean playmaker turned and quickly unloaded a hard low shot to beat Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy from twenty-one yards out. Less than ten minutes later Ahly responded when Percy Tau won the ball off Sundowns’ Audrey Modiba to Ahmed Kendouci who set up Mohamed Sherif’s finish to level the score.
It did not take too long for Sundowns to restore their lead. Ahly failed to adequately clear a corner kick and the ball was popped up at the edge of the penalty area where Mothobi Mvala flicked his header to a wide open Zwane who applied the finish past a helpless El Shenawy. Helplessness was the theme for El Shenawy who had absolutely no chance in the 40th minute when Teboho Mokoena unleashed a perfect blast from nearly forty yards that soared past the Egypt national team shot stopper into the net to extend Sundowns’ lead before halftime.
Ahly attempted to fight back in the second half and former Sundowns star Tau cut the deficit back to one goal soon after the hour mark after leaving Modiba in the dust on the right wing before cutting in and finishing past Sundowns keeper Ronwen Williams. Any hopes of a comeback for the Cairo club were destroyed in the 72nd minute once Shalulile provided a clinical finish after Neo Maema slipped through the heart of the Ahly defense and laid a pass off to the open Namibian striker.
Sundowns wrapped up a statement victory with an 88th minute goal from top marksman Shalulile. A brilliant team movement of one-touch passing sliced open the Ahly defense and after receiving a pass from substitute Haashim Domingo, Shalulile easily maneuvered past center back Mohamed Abdelmonem and slotted his shot past El Shenawy. Ahly will now need help from Sundowns to have any chance of advancing when the South African champions head to Sudan next for a matchup with second placed Al-Hilal with a Sundowns defeat mathematically eliminating Ahly.
Highlights from the Sundowns victory are below.
Fifth goal from Sundowns
