Mamelodi Sundowns denied 10-time champions Al Ahly their first Group B win in a 2-2 battle in Cairo on Saturday evening in their 2022/2023 CAF Champions League match.
Sundowns’ amazing 16-match winning streak in all competitions came to an end as a result of the result. Sundowns also failed to win a match for the first time since Rhulani Mokwena was appointed solo head coach.
The Brazillians will remain at the top of Group B, one point ahead of second-placed Al Hilal Omdurman of Sudan, with three games remaining. The rematch against Percy Tau’s Al Ahly will take place on March 11 in Cairo.
The penalty stop by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams in the second half, after his team had grabbed a first-half lead through Namibian Peter Shalulile, was a highlight for the visiting South Africans. Williams saved Mohamed Hany’s tame’spot kick’ after Tau was fouled in the Sundowns penalty area.
Sundowns appeared prepared to sit back and absorb the strain after Al Ahly’s early push. Shalulile scored his first Champions League goal of the season in the 34th minute, against the run of play, after a Sundowns break down the right flank.
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Cassius Mailula set up the goal with a low goalmouth pass that sailed past three Al Ahly defenders.
After missing a penalty, Al Ahly equalised a minute before the hour mark by Mohamed Abdelomonem. The goal seemed to give the hosts a boost, and they quickly upped the ante.
Hussein El Shahat scored in the 74th minute, giving Al Ahly the lead for the first time in the contest.
As the game neared its conclusion, it appeared like the Egyptians would maintain their lead, but substitute Thapelo Morena equalised nine minutes later when Mailula’s strike from the edge of the area hit the post.
