South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns booked their place in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League after a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly in Cairo on Saturday, 11 March 2023. The result saw Sundowns progress 3-2 on aggregate, setting up a mouthwatering clash with Congolese outfit AS Vita Club in the last four.
Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena hailed his team's tactical discipline and resilience after the victory. "We knew it was going to be a tough game, but we stuck to our game plan and executed it perfectly," Mokwena said. "The players deserve all the credit for their hard work and dedication."
Riveiro opted for a cautious approach, deploying a compact 4-4-2 formation with a focus on defensive solidity. The Sundowns backline, led by captain Denis Onyango, held firm under relentless pressure from Al Ahly's attacking quartet of Mohamed Sherif, Hussein El Shahat, Percy Tau, and Amr El Soleya.
In possession, Sundowns looked to hit Al Ahly on the counter-attack through the pace of Peter Shalulile and Gaston Sirino. Shalulile opened the scoring for Sundowns in the first half with a clinical finish from close range, giving the South Africans a crucial away goal.
Despite dominating the possession and creating numerous chances, Al Ahly failed to find the net on several occasions. Sherif, in particular, squandered several clear-cut opportunities that could have changed the outcome of the tie.
Al Ahly coach Marcel Koller admitted that his team's lack of efficiency in front of goal cost them dearly. "We created enough chances to win the game, but we were not clinical enough in the final third," Koller said. "We are disappointed with the result, but we have to give credit to Sundowns for their excellent defending."
The match between Sundowns and Al Ahly attracted significant media attention across Africa and beyond. Here are some of the different perspectives on the outcome:
Sundowns' victory over Al Ahly was a significant achievement for the South African club. It demonstrated their ability to compete with the best teams on the continent and underlined their status as one of the favorites to win the CAF Champions League title.
Mokwena's tactical masterclass, coupled with the team's resilience and determination, played a crucial role in their success. Al Ahly, despite creating numerous chances, paid the price for their lack of efficiency in front of goal.
The semi-final clash between Sundowns and AS Vita Club promises to be another exciting encounter. Both teams have a wealth of experience at this level, and it is likely to be a closely contested affair.
Comments
Post a Comment