In a tightly contested battle between Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns, both teams showcased their prowess in Match Round 1 of the CAF Champions League, ultimately settling for a 1-1 draw.
The match began with high intensity as both sides sought to gain an early advantage. Al Ahly drew first blood in the 24th minute when Taher Mohamed Ahmed Taher Moha Mahmoud found the back of the net with a clinical finish, putting the home team ahead 1-0. The goal injected a sense of urgency into Mamelodi Sundowns, who responded with determination and resilience.
As the match progressed, Mamelodi Sundowns increased their attacking efforts in search of an equalizer. Their persistence paid off in the 89th minute when Yasser Ahmed Ibrahim El Hanafi capitalized on a defensive lapse from Al Ahly to score the crucial goal, leveling the score at 1-1. The late equalizer sent the away fans into jubilation and ensured a share of the points for both teams.
Throughout the match, both Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns displayed tactical discipline and skillful play, creating moments of excitement for the fans. The midfield battle was intense, with both teams fighting for control of the game and creating scoring opportunities.
Despite the draw, both teams can take away positives from the match as they look ahead to the rest of the CAF Champions League campaign. Al Ahly will be pleased with their solid defensive display and early goal, while Mamelodi Sundowns will draw confidence from their resilience and ability to score a late equalizer.
Overall, the match between Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns was a thrilling encounter that showcased the competitive nature of African football. Both teams will now shift their focus to their upcoming fixtures as they aim to progress in the prestigious tournament.
Line-ups:
Al Ahly
- Mohamed El Sayed Mohamed El Sh Gomaa (7)
- Achraf Dari (7.2)
- Rami Hisham Abdel Aziz Rabia (7)
- Yasser Ahmed Ibrahim El Hanafi (7)
- Mohamed Hany Gamal Eldemerdash (6.9)
- Ahmed Reda Hashem (6.9)
- Marwan Attia Fahim Ghallab (6.9)
- Mostafa Mahmoud Al Aash (6.3)
- Taher Mohamed Ahmed Taher Moha Mahmoud (7.3)
- Emam Ashour Metwally Abdelghany (7.3)
- Nejc Gradišar (6.3)
Mamelodi Sundowns
Substitutions:
Al Ahly
- Wessam Haissam Abou Ali (Nejc Gradišar, 61)
- Achraf Bencharki (Taher Mohamed Ahmed Taher Moha Mahmoud, 79)
- Akram Tawfik Mohamed Hassan El Hagrasi (Emam Ashour Metwally Abdelghany, 79)
- Mohamed Magdi Mohamed Moursy (Mohamed Hany Gamal Eldemerdash, 90)
- Hussein Aly El Shahat Aly Hassan (Ahmed Reda Hashem, 90)
Mamelodi Sundowns
- Themba Zwane (Jayden Oswin Adams, 65)
- Iqraam Rayners (Lucas Ribeiro Costa, 74)
- Peter Taanyanda Shalulile (Tashreeq Matthews, 74)
- Divine Lunga (Mosa Spection Lebusa, 80)
- Arthur de Oliveira Sales (Aubrey Maphosa Modiba, 80)
Ball possession:
In a riveting clash between Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns, the game unfolded with a notable disparity in ball possession. The Egyptian powerhouse, Al Ahly, commanded 40% of the possession, while Mamelodi Sundowns impressively controlled 60% of the ball throughout the match.
The contest saw Al Ahly launch a total of 10 shots towards the goal, with 3 of those shots finding their mark. Taher Mohamed Ahmed Taher Moha Mahmoud emerged as a standout performer for Al Ahly, showcasing his attacking prowess with a flurry of attempts on goal.
On the other end, Mamelodi Sundowns displayed clinical efficiency in their attacking endeavors, registering 8 shots on target, of which 3 tested the opposition’s goalkeeper. Teboho Mokoena’s precision in front of goal stood out as he led the charge for Mamelodi Sundowns with his sharpshooting abilities.
In a thrilling display of footballing talent, both teams showcased their attacking intent with Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns trading blows in a captivating encounter. The match statistics reflect the competitive nature of the game, highlighting the strategic battle for dominance on the field.
Passes:
In a highly-anticipated clash between Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns, passing accuracy played a pivotal role in determining the flow and outcome of the game. Rami Hisham Abdel Aziz Rabia showcased his technical prowess with an impressive pass accuracy of 81% out of 53 total passes made for Al Ahly. On the opposing side, Khuliso Johnson Mudau of Mamelodi Sundowns demonstrated exceptional precision with an outstanding pass accuracy of 88% from 75 total passes.
The midfield battle was intense, with both Rabia and Teboho Mokoena of Mamelodi Sundowns creating opportunities through key passes. Rabia asserted his influence on the game by delivering 2 crucial key passes for Al Ahly, while Mokoena matched his efforts with 2 key passes for Mamelodi Sundowns.
The match was a testament to the importance of accurate passing in modern football, with Rabia and Mudau exemplifying the significance of maintaining high pass accuracy rates to control possession and create scoring opportunities for their respective teams. As the final whistle blew, it was evident that Rabia and Mudau’s passing accuracy had a significant impact on the outcome of the game, highlighting their importance as key playmakers for their teams.
In conclusion, the clash between Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns was a showcase of technical excellence and strategic play, with passing accuracy standing out as a key factor in shaping the flow and dynamics of the match. The performances of Rabia and Mudau underscored the importance of precision passing in modern football, setting a high standard for aspiring players and teams looking to excel at the highest level of the game.
Defense:
In a highly anticipated match between Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns, defensive prowess took center stage as both teams showcased their resilience in a thrilling encounter. The game was a true spectacle of tactical discipline and strategic interceptions that left fans on the edge of their seats.
Al Ahly, led by the impressive Ahmed Reda Hashem with 3 interceptions, demonstrated a solid defensive performance with a total of 13 interceptions throughout the match. The likes of Achraf Dari also made a notable contribution with 1 interception, showcasing their ability to read the game and disrupt the opposition’s attacking rhythm.
On the other side, Mamelodi Sundowns, with Khuliso Johnson Mudau leading the charge with 2 interceptions, put up a valiant defensive effort with a total of 9 interceptions. Thapelo James Morena also played a key role with 1 interception, displaying his defensive awareness and commitment to protecting his team’s goal.
Both teams engaged in a tactical battle, with interceptions playing a crucial role in breaking down the opponent’s attacking plays and regaining possession. The defensive blocks were equally important, with players from both sides throwing themselves in front of shots and crosses to deny scoring opportunities.
Overall, the match was a testament to the importance of solid defensive actions in football. The high number of interceptions and blocks showcased the determination and skill of both teams in nullifying the opposition’s threat and ensuring a hard-fought contest until the final whistle.
Face-to-face:
In a highly anticipated match between Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns, the face-to-face duels for the ball were a key highlight of the game. The leaders in this aspect were Achraf Dari of Al Ahly with 10 duels and Khuliso Johnson Mudau of Mamelodi Sundowns with 9 duels, showcasing their tenacity and determination on the field.
Both teams displayed a strong competitive spirit, with players like Dari and Mudau leading by example in their pursuit of possession. The intensity of these duels added an exciting element to the game, keeping fans on the edge of their seats throughout the match.
Despite the fierce competition for the ball, both teams showed great sportsmanship and respect for one another, making it a thrilling yet fair contest. The battle between Dari and Mudau was a testament to the skill and determination of these players, as they fought for every inch on the pitch.
In the end, Al Ahly emerged victorious with a narrow margin, but the efforts of players like Dari and Mudau did not go unnoticed. Their performance in the face-to-face duels added an extra layer of excitement to an already thrilling match, leaving fans eager for the next encounter between these two talented teams.
Fouls:
- Rami Hisham Abdel Aziz Rabia (Al Ahly) at 49 minute
- Lucas Ribeiro Costa (Mamelodi Sundowns) at 50 minute
- Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns) at 84 minute
Yellow cards:
The last five games (including this match):
- Al Ahly –
- Mamelodi Sundowns –
Top 5 CAF Champions League scorers:
- Fiston Kalala Mayele (2, [])
- Ibrahim Adel Ali Mohamed Hassan (2, )
- Joël Beya Tumetuka (1, )
- Mohamed Hany Gamal Eldemerdash (1, )
- Mohau Nkota (1, )
Next games:
- Al Ahly will play with . , on .
- Mamelodi Sundowns will play with . , on .