🔴 CAF Champions League: Mamelodi Sundowns bring down Al-Ahly!

It's a true feat that the Mamelodi Sundowns achieved this Friday, April 25, at the Cairo International Stadium. By securing a 1-1 draw against the Egyptian giant Al Ahly, the South Africans have reached the final of the CAF Champions League.

After a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Pretoria, everything was still to play for the Sundowns. And on the intimidating pitch of Al Ahly, the reigning champion and 12-time titleholder, the mission was daunting.

Al Ahly takes the lead… but not for long

The Egyptians quickly showed their teeth. Dominant from the first minutes, they logically opened the scoring in the 24th minute, thanks to a combination between Emam Ashour and Taher Mohamed, the latter finishing with an unstoppable shot.

But just as the home supporters thought the hardest part was over, the scenario took an unexpected turn.

The turning point: a fatal own goal

In the second half, the Sundowns didn't give up. Persistent and focused, they eventually equalized... through a stroke of luck. Yasser Ibrahim, Al Ahly's defender, mistakenly beat his own goalkeeper and changed everything.

With this away goal, the situation completely changed: in the event of a tie, it's Mamelodi who advances. And despite the last assaults from the Red Devils, the score remained unchanged.

A historic final in sight

Mamelodi Sundowns have thus punched their ticket to the grand final of the African C1, with the ambition to add a second star to their record after the 2016 triumph.

Al Ahly, on the other hand, will have to wait to hope for a 13th continental crown.

Amine Jomni |

Editorfr

African football writer and sports journalist covering football news, stories and insights while sharing his expertise with fans across the continent.