- Mamelodi Sundowns scored an equalizer 10 minutes to time
- Ahly are winless in two matches
- Raja kept their unbeaten run with Horoya win
Substitute Thapelo Morena scored an equalizer 10 minutes to time as Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly played to a 2-2 draw in a CAF Champions League match in Cairo. Ahly looked set to be headed for a win after coming from a goal down to lead 2-1, but Morena’s goal gave Sundowns a point as they remained unbeaten in the group.
It was billed to be a heavy duel between the two sides, Sundowns having not lost a single game in 24 matches across all comopetitions while Ahly, playing at home, were under pressure to win after losing their opening match away to Sudan’s Al Ahly last weekend.
They however had a bad start when Sundowns scored first through Peter Shalulile.
Shalulile broke the deadlock in the 34th minute when he stretched to tap home inside the box after a decent cross from the left by Cassius Mailula. Mailula has been in great form for Sundowns and the assist was yet another piece of brilliant performance.
Shalulile has a chance with a header
Sundowns almost had a second when Shalulile went high to meet an Aubrey Modiba cross, but he couldn’t keep his header from the edge of the six yard box down.
Ahly didn’t have many open chances, with Aliou Dieng shooting over from close range, while Magdy Afsha also rocketed a half volley over the bar from a Percy tau knockdown.
They came off the breather a more determined lot and just four minutes after the restart they had a chance to score when Tau was fouled inside the box. However, Mohamed Hanny saw his penalty saved by Ronwen Williams.
But, they kept the push and were rewarded in the 59th minute when Abdelmonem finished off from Ali Maaloul’s delivery.
Elshahat strikes Ahly into the lead
They went into the lead in the 74th minute when Elshahat scored a beaty of a goal, twisting and turning from his marker inside the box before slamming a shot past the keeper.
But, their hopes of victory were thwarted six minutes later when Morena scored from inside the box, reacting quickest after Mailula’s shot from the edge of the area came off the post.
With the result, Sundowns remain top of the group with seven points while Ahly picked their first point in two matches.
Elsewhere in Casablanca, Raja maintained their 100pc record in the group phase with a well worked 2-0 win over Guinea’s Horoya, who suffered their third successive defeat.
Khabba continues scoring form for Raja
Hamza Khabba’s third goal in as many matches and Naoufel Zerhouni’s beauty late in the second half saw Raja move to nine points with a well deserved victory.
Khjabba scored with three minutes left to the break when he volleyed home from inside the box after picking up a little clipped pass from Jamal Harkass.
Before that, they had some chances with Abdelilah Hafidi having the best, a shot from inside the box which flushed just wide.
Horoya’s clearest aim at goal in the opening 45 was via Alseny Soumah who fired a shot wide from the left after finding some shooting space.
In the second half, Raja completely dominated and they buried the game deep into added time, Zerhouni breaking into the box after some little movement to shake off his marker and sending a thumping shot beyond the goalkeeper.
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