Sundowns secure AFL final spot after draw in Cairo

Mamelodi Sundowns secured their spot in the inaugural CAF African Football League (AFL) final beating Egyptian rivals Al Ahly on a 1-0 aggregate scoreline over two legs.

Masandawana were pushed hard by a resilient Red Devils outfit, however, the team from Mamelodi remained resolute and got the job done.

Despite no goal in the entire 90 minutes, the game kicked off at a frantic pace with the home side showing attacking intent and testing the Masandawana defence at every opportunity.

Former Downs star Percy Tau was first to threaten, as he had a header saved by goalkeeper Ronwen Wiliams at the near post.

Tau and Williams would be at the centre of the action a few minutes later when the referee awarded a penalty to the team in red after the two Bafana Bafana colleagues collided in the box.

After a lengthy delay, Ali Maaloul stepped up but his spot kick was saved by the heroic Williams, his second AFL penalty save.

After the high-paced start to the match, it was Masandawana who began to show a bit of control, as they strung together passes and looked to move up the field.

Uruguayan forward Gaston Sirino had an attempt at goal saved by Egyptian shot-stopper Mohamed El-Shenawy.

At the other end of the pitch, The Brazilians faced a scare as confusion in the box led to Adbelmounaim Boutouil unknowingly making a goal-line save before Grant Kekana cleared away.

Sundowns remained solid and went into the break on level terms on the night.

In the second half Bongani Zungu was introduced into the fray in place of Mothobi Mvala, who picked up a booking in the first half.

Al Ahly would up the ante in attack and look to push on but were met by the dogged Ka Bo Yellow side at every attempt.

There were fewer chances in the second half as one team nullified the other in pursuit of a place in the showpiece final.

The biggest flashpoint in the second 45 came when Argentine substitute Junior Mendieta was shown a straight red card for a tackle deemed high by the referee, reducing Sundowns to 10 men for the last five minutes plus additional time.

WATCH: 

Recapping the intense duel between Al Ahly and Sundowns 🎥

An electrifying match that led Sundowns to the final! 🏆🔵🟡#AFL | #CAF | #FIFA pic.twitter.com/qeXJLQcP0l

— African Football League (@afl_africa) November 1, 2023

Williams was called into action one final time as he claimed the long-range shot that came in from the edge of the box.

Downs held on through a lengthy seven minutes of added time to see out the result and claim a spot in the inaugural AFL final against Moroccan foes Wydad Casablanca.

The spectacular final will take place over two legs, with the first leg commencing on Sunday, November 5 and the second on November 11.

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