Sundowns survive Cairo siege to reach Champions League final

Mamelodi Sundowns secured their spot in the CAF Champions League final after a dramatic 1-1 draw against Al Ahly at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday evening.

The away goal proved decisive, sending the South African side through after a challenging encounter. Al Ahly started strongly, dominating possession for the first 20 minutes and displaying their attacking intent.

Taher Mohamed orchestrated their attacks, slipping a through ball to Nejc Gradisar in the 21st minute, but the striker's shot sailed over the bar. Mohamed himself found the back of the net in the 24th minute, finishing off a move initiated by Emam Ashour, who also tested Sundowns keeper Ronwen Williams ten minutes later.

Thapelo Morena provided a threat for Sundowns on the wings, but Al Ahly's defense held firm, taking a 1-0 lead into halftime. Sundowns emerged with renewed purpose in the second half, pushing forward with greater urgency.

Lucas Ribeiro looked set to equalise, only to be brought down in the penalty area by Yasser Ibrahim. However, the referee waved away appeals for a penalty, a decision upheld after a VAR review.

MASANDAWANA TO THE FINAL! 🤯#TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/Fwlrn8N2HL

— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) April 25, 2025

With time running out, coach Miguel Cardoso introduced Iqraam Rayners and Peter Shalulile in a bid to bolster the attack. The substitutions proved crucial. In the 90th minute, relentless pressure from the fresh legs forced Ibrahim to deflect the ball into his own net, leveling the score.

Sundowns held on in the tense final moments, securing a 1-1 draw and advancing to the CAF Champions League final on away goals.

Al Ahly (1) 1 (Mohamed 24’)

Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 1 (Ibrahim 90’ OG)

Ah Ahly: M. El Shenawy, A. Dari, R. Rabia, Y. Ibrahim, M. Hany (M. Magdy 90+2’), A. Hashem (H. Shahat 90+2’), M. Attia, M. Al Aash, T. Mohamed (A. Bencharki 79’), E. Ashour (A. Tawfik 79’), N. Gradisar (W. Ali 61’)

Mamelodi Sundowns: R. Williams, A. Modiba (A. Sales 80’), M. Lebusa (D. Lunga 79’), G. Kekana, K. Mudau, M. Allende, T. Mokoena, J. Adams (T. Zwane 65’), T. Matthews (P. Shalulile 74’), L. Ribeiro (I. Rayners 74’), T. Morena

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗭𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗙 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗚𝗨𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟! 🏆

Al Ahly (24’ Taher) 1️⃣ (1)➖(1) 1️⃣ Mamelodi Sundowns (90+4’ Ibrahim (OG))#Sundowns #TotalEnergiesCAFCL #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/tt3YaVMVJc

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 25, 2025