Mamelodi Sundowns failed to progress to the Caf Champions League semi-finals after suffering a 3-1 aggregate defeat to Egyptian giants Al Ahly, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
Pitso Mosimane made one change to his squad that lost 2-0 in the first-leg as Anele Ngcongca replaces Wayne Arendse in Sundowns’ backline.
The Brazilians got off to a good start and nearly opened the scoring in the fourth minute, but Ricardo Nascimento saw his shot saved by Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.
The Egyptian giants took the lead in the 21st minute after Lebohang Maboe put the ball into his own net in an attempt to clear it away from danger.
Sundowns then levelled matters six minutes later when Gaston Sirino made the most of a rebound to slot the ball past El Shenawy after palming Themba’s Zwane’s initial shot into the path of the Uruguayan.
The home side came close to taking the lead in the 32nd minute but El Shenawy made a point-blank save to keep out Sibusiso Vilakazi’s header.
Neither side were able to take the lead heading into the break as the first half ended at 1-1.
Mosimane his first change of the game right after the restart, bringing on Tebogo Langerman in place of Mosa Lebusa.
Maboe had a chance to redeem himself in the 52nd minute after latching on to a ball from Langerman in the box but the attacker blazed his effort just over the target.
The Sundowns mentor opted to bring on a fresh pair of legs a minute later as Phakamani Mahlambi came on in place of Maboe.
El Shenawy came to his sides rescue in the 58th minute when he made a good save to keep out Zwane’s powerful strike at goal.
Denis Onyango kept his side in the game 72nd minute when he got down low to deal with Junior Ajayi goal-bound effort.
Mosimane made his final change five minutes later when Jose Ali Meza replace captain Hlompho Kekana, who recently signed a new long-term deal with the club.
Meza nearly made an instant impact three minutes after taking to the field, but saw his effort from distance sail wide of the target.
El Shanawy was called into action with five minutes left to play when he beat Meza to punch the ball to safety after Vilakazi played an inviting ball into the penalty area.
The home side presses forward in the closing stages of the game but were unable to break down the Al Ahly defence as they crash out of the continental competition, while the Egyptian side progress to the next round.
