CAF Champions League: Al Ahly hold Sundowns, Pyramids deny Pirates
Prior to the Sundowns match, both coaches, wary of the fact that the semis are a two legged affair promised caution and so it proved as over the 90 minutes, Sundowns failed to manage a shot on target.
Al Ahly showed their experience and knowhow to frustrate Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of the CAF Champions League semifinals at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria South Africa Saturday.
Meanwhile, at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, newcomers Pyramids FC were good money for a barren draw with home side Orlando Pirates, to also earn a respectable draw ahead of the second leg clash in Cairo next week.
Prior to the Sundowns match, both coaches, wary of the fact that the semis are a two legged affair promised caution and so it proved as over the 90 minutes, Sundowns failed to manage a shot on target.
Ahly themselves did not fair much better, with their only attempts on target being from Taher Mohamed and Emam Ashour, but both were easily saved by Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
In the final minute of regulation time in the first half, the Red Eagles were inches away from claiming the lead, as Nejc Gradisar got on the end of Ashour’s cross, only for the ball to rebound off the post.
At the beginning of the second half, the hosts came alive, aggressively taking charge of the ball and territory, but still failed to fashion scoring opportunities.
The hosts sent on Arthur Sales and Iqraam Rayners just past the hour mark, and just under 10 minutes later Themba Zwane made his return from months on the sidelines, replacing Jayden Adams in midfield but they did not gain any advantage Infront of a tense Loftus.
The match thus ended goalless setting up a tantalising return leg clash next Friday in Cairo where the outright winner will book their ticket to the final.
In the second semi final clash, Pirates, who have had a horrible season domestically but have been good in Continental matters met a well drilled Pyramids side that game then little opportunity to create opportunities and in the end deserved a draw.
Pyramids thought they had taken the lead in the game on 44 minutes after Congolese forward Fiston Mayele's effort was ruled out for offside.
In the 86th minute, they thought they had won it, but Sodiq Ougola' s effort was adjudged via VAR to have bounced off his hand on the way in deny them the lead.
The second leg will be played in Cairo on the evening of Friday, 25 April.