Mamelodi Sundowns secured a 1-0 win over Al Ahly in the first leg of their African Football League semi-final on Sunday afternoon.
African Football League
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 Al Ahly
Date: 29 October 2023
Venue: Loftus Versfeld
With Mothobi Mvala suspended, Boutouil moved to the centre of the defence as Aubrey Modiba was recalled at left-back as the only change from Tuesday's draw against Petro de Luanda.
Rulani Mokwena's charges dominated from the onset, with Marcelo Allende dictating the play from the middle of the park although clear-cut chances were hard to come by in the early stages.
The first clear-cut chance arrived on 30 minutes when Thapelo Maseko managed to get on the end of a delightful cross before seeing his close-range brilliantly turned away by Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohammed El Shenawy.
Al Ahly, meanwhile, certainly remembered the hiding they received at the hands of Sundowns on their last visit to South Africa, with Marcel Koller's quite happy to sit back and soak up the pressure in the first half.
After a frustrating first half, Sundowns bagged the opening goal seven minutes after the halftime break when Maseko found the back of the net with a powerful strike from distance.
Mokwena responded with a change on the hour mark, as Gaston Sirino made way for Junior Mendieta to freshen up the attack while the visitors introduced former Borussia Dortmund striker Anthony Modeste for Salah Moshen.
While Al Ahly were eager to find an equaliser, Teboho Mokoena went close to getting a second goal for Sundowns with an effort from distance but El Shenawy produced a fine save to keep his side in the contest.
It proved to be a disappointing latter period for the African champions, who felt they should have had a penalty in second-half stoppage time for a foul on Tau but the appeals were waved away.
Sundowns will now take a one-goal lead to Cairo for the second leg on Tuesday evening.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Kekana, Coetzee, Boutouil, Mudau, Mokoena, Modiba, Allende, Zwane, Sirino, Maseko
Subs: D.Onyango, De Reuck, Lebusa, B.Onyango, NKu, Zungu, Mashego, Mendieta, Mkhulise, Mabena, Maema, Maboe
Al Ahly: El Shenawy, Maaloul, Abd Almonem, Hany, Rabia, Marawan, Dieng, Afsha, Reda Slim, Tau, Salah Moshen.
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