CAF Champions League
AL AHLY’S HEART NOT LARGE ENOUGH!
Egypt’s Ahly failed in their near-impossible bid to stage a historic comeback from five goals down as they were eliminated from the African Champions League quarters after only claiming a 1-0 home win over South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday.
According to Al Ahram, despite being roared on by tens of thousands of supporters at Alexandria’s Borg El-Arab Stadium, Ahly hardly made their dominance count after failing to break down the resolute visitors for long spells.
Their first goal came too late for the Red Devils to stage a comeback, with Walid Azaro heading home eight minutes past the hour mark.
They also wasted several clear-cut chances and Nigerian forward Junior Ajayi had a goal harshly disallowed for offside early in the second half.
But Ahly could have few complaints after a disastrous first-leg display in Pretoria saw them lose 5-0 for their first worst ever defeat in an African competition.
Despite bowing out at the quarter-final stage, in stark contrast to the previous two seasons when they reached the final on both occasions, Ahly’s players were greeted by their supporters following the final whistle.
The demanding fans called on the Cairo giants to win a fourth straight Egyptian Premier League title, which they top in a tight and increasingly thrilling race with arch rivals Zamalek and big-spending Pyramids FC.
Inspired form
Ahly laid siege to Sundowns’ area from the outset but with veteran keeper Denis Onyango in inspired form, they could not find the early breakthrough they desperately needed.
The Uganda international smothered a close-range angled effort from Azaro early on and blocked another volley from the Moroccan striker after he robbed a Sundowns defender.
In between, the best chance of the half fell to central midfielder Amr El-Sulaya, whose superb curling effort struck the upright, with Onyango finally beaten.
Ajayi tucked away a rebound just after the restart but Gambian referee Bakary Gassama ruled the goal out, although television replays suggested that the deep-lying forward was not in an offside position.
Failing to score at least a goal until this point took the wind out of Ahly’s sails, with their spirits dampened and the fans appearing resigned to a looming elimination.
But there was still room for some consolation, with Azaro sending a powerful header home following an inviting cross from experienced right-back Ahmed Fathi, who was an otherwise peripheral figure.
Egypt’s Pyramids claimed a deserved 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa. This led to a 3-2 aggregate success. They celebrated their first African Champions League title. This triumph occurred following the second leg of this year’s final at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday.
The first leg in Pretoria finished 1-1. Fiston Mayele gave Pyramids the lead on 23 minutes. He profited from a Sundowns defensive error. Ahmed Samy doubled the advantage on 56 minutes. He scored with a header from a free-kick.
Sundowns pulled a goal back through Iqraam Rayners with 15 minutes remaining. One more goal would have given them victory in the tie on the away goals rule. However, Pyramids held firm despite heavy pressure from the visitors.
Pyramids are the fourth Egyptian side to lift the Champions League trophy after record 12-time winners Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily. Meanwhile, 2016 champions Sundowns head to this month’s Club World Cup in the United States on a low note.
-Reuters
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- 1. Pyramids aim to become the first new CAF Champions League winner since Sundowns (2016), the 13th in the modern era, and the 27th overall.
- 2. This is the 19th Champions League-era final featuring an Egyptian club. Previous teams (Al Ahly 10, Zamalek 1) have won 11 titles.
- 3. Including the pre-Champions League era, this is the 29th final for an Egyptian club, with 18 wins and 10 losses.
- 4. Pyramids have played only 1 of their last 9 matches at home but are unbeaten in their last 23 home games this season (W19 D4) and last 28 overall (W24 D4).
- 5. Pyramids scored in 22 of 23 home games this season; the only blank was a 0-0 draw vs Al Masry.
- 6.This season, they’ve won all 7 home matches, scoring 26 and conceding 6, with one clean sheet. In total, they’ve lost just 1 of 11 home matches in the competition.
- 7. Fiston Mayele leads with 8 goals in 12 matches (5 since group stage); Ibrahim Adel has 6 (also 5 post-group stage).
- 8. Ramadan Sobhi has 5 assists in 9 games (joint-most), plus 2 goals. He’s had major impact off the bench twice.
- 9. Askary Chibi has created 20 chances since the group stage — the most for Pyramids.
- 10. Pyramids have kept 3 clean sheets this season, all away, but remain dominant at home
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- 1. Sundowns are in their third CAF Champions League final (2001, 2016, 2024).
- 2. South African Record: First South African club to reach three finals, surpassing Orlando Pirates (2).
- 3. Sundowns hosted the first leg in all three finals. In 2001, they drew 1-1 at home and lost 2-0 away to Al Ahly.
- 4. Sundowns beat Zamalek 3-0 at home, lost 1-0 away, and won 3-1 on aggregate.
- 5. Sundowns have never scored in an away leg of a Champions League final, conceding five in total.
- 6. The current final marks the second time Sundowns led at home and failed to win (also in 2001).
- 7. A defeat would make Sundowns the first South African side to lose two finals.
- 8. Sundowns are unbeaten in their last 10 matches vs Egyptian opposition (4wins and 6 draws).
- 9. Sundowns are unbeaten in their last 4 visits to Egypt (2 wins and 2 draws).
- 10. A win would make Sundowns the first team since Al Ahly (2012) to win the title after failing to win the home leg.
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