LIVE: Al Ahly vs Mamelodi Sundowns
A titanic clash between Africa’s footballing giants is set for Friday night as Mamelodi Sundowns visit Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League semi-final second leg at the Cairo International Stadium.
Following a tense and tactical 0-0 draw in the first leg at Loftus Versfeld, all eyes will be on Cairo, where the atmosphere is expected to be electric, with over 75,000 fans filling the stands in support of the defending champions.
Mamelodi Sundowns are determined to make history by reaching their second-ever CAF Champions League final, having last done so in 2016, the year they lifted the coveted trophy. Defender Divine Lunga acknowledged the challenge but remained confident ahead of the decider.
“It’s not going to be an easy game… but we are going to put maximum effort so that we can win the game,” Lunga said.
“We don’t want penalties… we want to get it done in 90 minutes.”
Lunga also downplayed the pressure of playing in front of a massive crowd, pointing to the team’s experience with high-stakes environments and national duty.
Midfielder Tashreeq Matthews reinforced the team’s mindset, calling the match a must-win and highlighting the need to disrupt Al Ahly’s rhythm early on.
“It’s going to be physical… we’ll have to do what we must to get the three points.”
Al Ahly’s Fortress
Al Ahly, 11-time African champions, are no strangers to pressure or this stage of the tournament. The Cairo giants boast an incredible record at home, and the crowd will be key in pushing them over the line. Their goalless draw away means a single goal at home could make the difference, especially given the absence of the away goals rule in this year’s knockout rounds.
The Red Devils’ experience and composure in tight games will be crucial, particularly against a Sundowns side eager to score and attack.
Kick-off Details
-
Venue: Cairo International Stadium
-
Kick-off: 18:00 (SA Time)
-
Broadcast: SuperSport TV & SABC Sport
- Watch Live: Click here to stream the match live
Prediction: Al Ahly 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
A closely contested battle is expected once again. While Al Ahly’s home advantage could be pivotal, Sundowns have the attacking firepower to trouble them. A draw may send the game into extra time or penalties — and from there, anything can happen.
Final Question
Will Mamelodi Sundowns reach the CAF Champions League final?
With the right mentality, discipline, and execution — yes, they can. But they’ll need to dig deep in one of the most intimidating venues in world football.
