Al Ahly Book CAF Champions League Semi-final Ticket

Al Ahly’s clash against Mamelodi Sundowns in the second leg of the CAF Champions League quarter-finals ended in a 1-1 draw at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria.

Thanks to our 2-0 win at home in the first leg, the Red Eagles secured a spot in the competition’s semi-finals.

Yasser Ibrahim, our defender, was the hero for the Red Eagles in the encounter, having opened the score from a perfect header in the 11th minute of the first half.

Musa Libosa equalized the score for the home team in the 30th minute but his goal was not enough for the South Africans to overcome the first leg’s scoreline.

First Half

Pitso Mosimane, our head coach, changed our usual formation and decided to start the game with a (3-5-2) formation. Badr Benoun played as a sweeper behind Yasser Ibrahim and Ramy Rabia.

We had a strong start to the game, focusing on stopping the opposition’s attempts to score an early goal.

The deadlock was broken after 11 minutes as our Eagles opened the score in the game by Yasser’s fantastic header to have an early lead in the game.

Yasser’s goal made the South African’s mission more difficult and the home team players upped their pressure, looking for the equalizer.

They got what they wanted in the 30th minute when their defender Musa Libosa equalized the score as his header went past our goalkeeper, Mohamed El Shenawy.

The attacks of Mamelodi Sundowns players continued but our defenders stood their ground and the first half ended in a draw.

Second Half

We stuck to our game plan in the second half, stopping all the opponent’s attacks. El Shenawy put on a fantastic performance in the opening minutes of the second half, saving a clear goalscoring chance from the opposition’s striker.

The game was tightened in the midfield and Themba Zwane, Sundowns midfielder, was booked after a dangerous tackle against Rabia.

Mosimane used his bench in the 60th minute when Salah Mohsen was replaced by Taher Mohamed Taher.

Peter Shalulile scored the second goal for Mamelodi Sundowns but the referee disallowed the goal as Shalulile used his arm to control the ball.

Junior Ajayi and Hussein El Shahat joined the game instead of Mohamed Sherif and Mohamed Magdy Afsha.

Our players closed the spaces and the home team players failed to find cracks in our defense.

The minutes went by with no clear chances and the game ended in a draw, which was enough for the Red Eagles to earn a spot in the semi-finals.

Mini Match
Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium

Referee: Janny Sikazwe

Occasion: Second leg of the CAF Champions League quarter-finals

Al Ahly’s starting line-up: Mohamed El Shenawy, Ramy Rabia, Badr Benoun, Ayman Ashraf, Yasser Ibrahim, Mohamed Hany, Aliou Dieng, Amr El Soulia, Mohamed Magdy Afsha, Mohamed Sherif, and Salah Mohsen.

Substitutions:
Salah (Taher)
Sherif  (Ajayi)
Afsha (El Shahat)

Goals:
Yasser Ibrahim ‘11
Muse Libosa ‘29

Yellow Cards:
Themba Zwane
Peter Shalulile
Ayman Ashraf
Mohamed Magdy Afsha

Next Game:
RS Berkane of Morocco in the CAF Super Cup on 28 May.