Sundowns stumble to loss in Cairo

Al Ahly turned the tables on Mamelodi Sundowns in their quarterfinal game last night, leaving the South African champions with the task of overturning a 2-0 deficit to stand any chance of progressing to the CAF Champions League semifinals.

Things panned out differently this time around for Sundowns, who annihilated Al Ahly 5-1 on aggregate in their previous meeting – also at the quarterfinal stage – in the premier continental club competition last season.

Having held the hosts to a goalless first half at the Cairo International Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, last night, the Brazilians could not stop the Egyptian champions from breaking the deadlock as the game progressed.

Ali Maâloul beat Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango twice shortly after the break to give the Egyptians a big advantage when they head into the return fixture at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville for an afternoon clash on Saturday.

The Tunisian attacker beat Sundowns defenders to take the first goal in the 56th minute, then he converted a penalty kick after Hlompho Kekana committed a foul on Aliou Badji.

With the advantage of hosting the return leg in Pretoria, coach Pitso Mosimane will still be hoping for a comeback based on the team’s positive results at home, even against the strongest sides, particularly the north Africans.

After all, Sundowns emerged and won the group stage that included regular foes Wydad Athletic, with the Tshwane powerhouse progressing to this stage unbeaten in their six pool fixtures.

However, Mosimane and his side will not have it easy over the next few weeks.

Sundowns are competing on three fronts – the CAF competition, the Absa Premiership and the Nedbank Cup, where they have also qualified for the Last eight.

While they were away in Egypt, Kaizer Chiefs stretched their lead at the top of the Premiership to seven points after a 1-0 win over third-placed Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby yesterday.

The Brazilians, who remain second on the Premiership table, will resume their domestic programme against Stellenbosch on March 11, and will face Highlands Park in the Nedbank Cup Last eight.

But before the trip to Cape Town, Sundowns will certainly be preoccupied with how to resuscitate their continental hopes against an Al Ahly side that is clearly nothing like the team that got embarrassed in Atteridgeville in April. – City Press correspondent

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