Mamelodi Sundowns will be looking to do a CAF Champions League double over Al Ahly when they clash in their Group A encounter at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.
The Brazilians top the group standings with seven points from three games after beating Pitso Mosimane’s Egyptian giants as well as Al-Hilal, while being held to a goalless draw by Al-Merrikh.
Al Ahly are three points adrift in second place with a win, draw and a loss, meaning that a victory for Sundowns could go a long way to determining their future in this competition.
It would also be a massive lift after being knocked out by Al Ahly in the quarter-finals last season.
While Sundowns are runaway leaders in their domestic DStv Premiership with just two losses from 23 games all season, Al Ahly are leaders in the Egyptian Premier League and are so far unbeaten after 10 games.
Al Ahly coach, Pitso Mosimane, on the faith and respect shown to him by Al Ahly 🦅
— Hollywoodbets (@Hollywoodbets) March 11, 2022
CC - @Velile_Mnyandu #CAFCL pic.twitter.com/FkXtf7q2HH
Ahead of the weekend’s tie, Downs Co-Coach, Manqoba Mngqithi told his club’s website: “We are going to a very tough encounter, a game that has got so much insight and a game that can determine our season.
“It’s a game of consequence because both Ahly and ourselves are looking for a result that can maybe get us into the quarterfinals or stamp the position in the group stages.
“Also considering that they lost their first match against us on their home ground, obviously they will come for vengeance hoping to try and upset us in that space.
“Whatever result comes in this match might not necessarily mean anything in terms of topping the group, but it might mean something in terms of guaranteeing one of the two teams qualification into the quarter finals.”
𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗯𝗮 𝘅 𝗣𝗶𝘁𝘀𝗼
— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) March 11, 2022
Former Kaizer Chiefs star Siphiwe Tshabalala has welcomed Pitso Mosimane and Al Ahly at Naturena and was asked to predict Saturday’s CAF Champions League clash with Mamelodi Sundowns. https://t.co/UL4aUWigmk pic.twitter.com/d0AFiEP4Gp
Mosimane, meanwhile, will be eager for a win for his side after signing a new two-year extension to his contract.
He said on KickOff: “We knew we had to beat Al-Merreikh and Pyramids, and now we have to go and beat Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa.
“We are determined to win the Egyptian Premier League this season, especially after losing it last year.
“Give me more time and you will see how strong Al Ahly can be, It took me eight years with Sundowns to bring out their full potential.
“As a result of the work done over the years, they have a very strong team right now.”
