Premier Soccer League giants Mamelodi Sundowns are standing on the verge of reaching a third Caf Champions League final but Al Ahly stand as a tall hurdle in front of them.
The capital city outfit are in Egypt where they confront Al Ahly this evening in an attempt to stop the Red Devils from reaching a third successive final.
Downs’ mentor, Miguel Cardoso, has been here before with Tunisian giants Esperance as he navigated past Sundowns to reach the final last season.
Part of the motive behind his recruitment to Chloorkop is his know-how and blueprint on the continent. The stakes are high, and the possibility of an all-South African final is a great prospect.
Here, Hollywoodbets Sports Blog provides you with all the details to watch out for this match.
How to watch
Kick-off: 18:00
Venue: Cairo International Stadium
TV channel: DStv channel 202 and SABC 3
Digital viewing: DStv Stream, SABC+
Other: SABC radio stations will carry the live commentary
Head-to-head
25/02/2023: Al Ahly 2 – 2 Mamelodi Sundowns
11/03/2023: Mamelodi Sundowns 5 – 2 Al Ahly
29/10/2023: Mamelodi Sundowns 1 – 0 Al Ahly
01/11/2023: Al Ahly 0 – 0 Mamelodi Sundowns
19/04/2025: Mamelodi Sundowns 0 – 0 Al Ahly
Players to watch
This stage demands players who have walked this road before, and the only two Sundowns players, Themba Zwane and Denis Onyango, even though he is unlikely to play on Friday, who have a Champions League gold medal they won in 2016.
Zwane recently made his return from injury in the reverse fixture, where he came off the bench and played as though he had never been out.
Prior to making his return, Zwane is understood to have featured in a few friendly games to build up his match fitness. Cardoso might be tempted to feature the club’s skipper from the onset and rely on his experience.
Zwane will need to carry the load with players like Lucas Ribeiro, Peter Shalulile, alongside Iqraam Rayners, who are the most trusted soldiers up front.
Meanwhile, defenders like Khuliso Mudau and Grant Kekana will be expected to be at their level best against the likes of Tahe Mohamed and Emam Ashour, who were the live wires for the Red Devils in Pretoria.
Recent form
Al Ahly
24/03/2025: El Gaish 3 – 1 Al Ahly
01/04/2025: Al Ahly 1 – 0 Al-Hilal Omdurman
08/04/2025: Al-Hilal Omdurman 0 – 1 Al Ahly
12/04/2025: Pyramids 1 – 1 Al Ahly
19/04/2025: Mamelodi Sundowns 0 – 0 Al Ahly
Mamelodi Sundowns
28/03/2025: Mamelodi Sundowns 1 – 0 Sekhukhune United
01/04/2025: Sundowns 1 – 0 Esperance
08/04/2025: Esperance 0 – 0 Mamelodi Sundowns
13/04/2025: Mamelodi Sundowns 1 – 2 Kaizer Chiefs
19/04/2025: Mamelodi Sundowns 0 – 0 Al Ahly
Betting tips
Al Ahly 15/20 | Draw 18/20 | Mamelodi Sundowns 42/20
Best bet: Al Ahly
Value bet: Mamelodi Sundowns
The Pharaohs are expected to be comfortable at home, given that they will be playing in front of a capacity crowd.
Al Ahly have been in the last five finals and claimed four continental crowns in those appearances to make it an overall dozen titles. Whenever Al Ahly play at home in the Champions League, they are usually favourites no matter the circumstances. This match will be no different.
