As the draw for the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League semi-finals sets up a mouth-watering clash between 2016 champions Mamelodi Sundowns and their fierce rivals, Al Ahly, excitement is at an all-time high for what promises to be a thrilling battle for a place in the continental final.
This showdown is expected to be an intense spectacle, with two of Africa’s footballing giants going head-to-head in pursuit of the ultimate club glory.
Ahead of the eagerly anticipated encounter, SBN highlights three key takeaways from Sundowns’ progression to the semifinals:
The Miguel Cardoso Derby
With Mamelodi Sundowns now well on their way to the semi-final of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, there is a fascinating subplot that has emerged. Portuguese tactician Miguel Cardoso, currently at the helm of the Brazilians, boasts an undefeated streak against his past and present employers. Last season, while managing ES Tunis, Cardoso orchestrated a 2-0 aggregate victory over Sundowns in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals, securing identical 1-0 wins both in Tunis and Pretoria.
Read: Misfiring Mamelodi Sundowns advance to CAF Champions League semi-finals despite goalless draw
Remarkably, even in this season’s quarter-final clash where his Sundowns side faced Esperance, Cardoso maintained his unbeaten run, guiding them to a 1-0 home victory followed by a crucial away draw in Tunisia, thus securing their passage to the final four.
Across the previous four encounters involving Mamelodi Sundwons and Esperance, Cardoso has consistently found a way to navigate challenges posed by the opposition and is yet to see defeat!
Downs defence greater than Downs attack
It goes without saying, Masandawana have established a formidable fortress on their home turf. During their quarter-final tie against Cardoso’s former team, ES Tunis, Sundowns effectively neutralized any genuine attacking threat in the first leg, denying the Tunisians a single shot on target.
Similarly, the second leg mirrored a familiar pattern from their initial encounter. Whilst Esperance did have a larger share of possession at the second time of asking, they struggled to unlock a resolute South African defense. This will hold Sundowns in goodstead when they come up against the battle-hardened Al Ahly.
Furthermore, all three South African representatives in this season’s CAF competitions demonstrated defensive fortitude by keeping clean sheets in their quarter-final first-leg matches, a testament to the potential defensive solidity that Sundowns will aim to replicate.
A second bite at the Cherry
The looming semi-final against Al Ahly carries an extra layer of significance for Miguel Cardoso. Last season, his ES Tunis side fell to the Egyptian giants in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final, adding a personal dimension to this encounter.
Cardoso will be fiercely motivated to avenge that defeat and demonstrate the firepower of his current Sundowns attack, which features in-form players like Peter Shalulile, Lucas Ribeiro Costa, and Iqraam Rayners.
Read: Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly to go pound-for-pound in a battle for CAF final ticket
This potent attacking trio will be eager to showcase their abilities and capitalize on any openings against the reigning champions. The stage is set for a captivating semi-final spectacle in the coveted continental competition, as the reigning kings and record holders Al Ahly prepare to clash with the South African powerhouse and 2016 champions, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Adding to the narrative, this marks the third consecutive season that Mamelodi Sundowns have reached this crucial semi-final stage, a testament to their consistent continental ambition, although they will be determined to overcome the hurdle that has eliminated them in the previous two campaigns.