An Al Ahly legend has warned the Egyptian giants against playing for a draw in the first leg against a team like Mamelodi Sundowns.
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The Club of the Century and Masandawana will renew their rivalry this weekend as the two sides collide in the CAF Champions League semi-finals for the first time. Despite each side finishing second in their respective groups, both clubs now stand a chance to play for a place in the tournament’s decisive game.
Of the five knockout-stage ties the two continental giants have contested, it is the Red Devils who have been triumphant on more occasions, with four victories to their name. However, club icon Ahmed Shobeir has warned the team against pragmatism in the first leg if they are to continue this record against the South African champions.
"All I hope for is that Al Ahly gets a positive result from Pretoria. If we score and concede, it will be an excellent result,” the former goalkeeper said on On Sports FM.
“But 0-0 is not a good result, especially against a team like Sundowns, which can win at home, but achieves strong victories away from home, and it doesn't matter if it's playing on the opponent's field.
"Sundowns is a team I respect, and they have very strong players, but God willing, Al Ahly can overcome this obstacle and continue their journey in the tournament.”
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While Ahly have traditionally proven formidable at this stage of the competition, their head coach Marcel Koller has never beaten Sundowns in the four matches he has faced them in — in both the Champions League and the African Football League. The defeat in the latter competition also came at the semi-final stage last season, but the Swiss tactician will likely be hoping for a better outcome this time around.
