The stage is set for a captivating showdown in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, as the reigning kings of the competition and serial tournament winners Al Ahly and South African football powerhouse and 2016 champions Mamelodi Sundowns meet in the highly anticipated semi-final clash.
The air will be thick with tension and anticipation as both sides vie for a coveted spot in the final of Africa’s most prestigious club tournament.
The decorated Egyptian giants, Al Ahly, boasting an unparalleled record of 12 CAF Champions League titles, will embark on the first leg of this high-stakes encounter on the road against Miguel Cardoso’s well-drilled Mamelodi Sundowns on April 18th. The return leg will ignite Cairo on April 25th, where the ultimate finalist will be determined.
Read: Misfiring Mamelodi Sundowns advance to CAF Champions League semi-finals despite goalless draw
Under the guidance of Marcel Koller, Al Ahly find themselves in a familiar position, renewing their intense rivalry with the South African powerhouse. Mamelodi Sundowns secured their semi-final berth after a hard-fought 1-0 aggregate victory over Tunisian giants Espérance de Tunis.
The prospect of facing Al Ahly, a team that edged out ES Tunis in last season’s final, will undoubtedly fuel Mamelodi Sundowns’ determination. The Brazilians, buoyed by their acquisition of Jayden Adams, Iqraam Rayners and Lucas Suarez to name a few, will be eager to seize every opportunity to gain an advantage in the first leg.
Similarly, Al Ahly, having dispatched Al Hilal 2-0 on aggregate, with a decisive late strike from Emam Ashour in the second leg sealing their progression, are riding high on confidence.
Al Ahly’s consistent dominance in the competition is underscored by their remarkable achievement of reaching the semi-finals for an impressive sixth consecutive season, lifting the coveted trophy in four of the last five campaigns.
Armed with the mercurial Ashour, who is the current joint-top scorer in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League with five goals, Al Ahly will be looking to secure a positive result in South Africa.
Mamelodi Sundowns, while establishing their own impressive consistency with a third successive semi-final appearance, will be driven to overcome their previous two semi-final exits and finally reach the grand finale.
This semi-final clash promises a captivating narrative of history, ambition, and fierce competition as Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns lock horns for a coveted spot in the CAF Champions League final.