JOHANNESBURG – Egyptian giants Al-Ahly and Pyramids FC played goalless draws in the first-legs of their CAF Champions League semi-finals against South African powerhouses Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, respectively, giving the Egyptian sides an advantage ahead of next weekend’s return-legs.
Al-Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns were evenly matched in a hard-fought draw at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. Meanwhile, Pyramids FC and Orlando Pirates also shared the spoils in a tense 0-0 stalemate at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
The return-legs will be played in the Egyptian capital on Friday when Al-Ahly hosts Sundowns at the Cairo International Stadium followed by Pyramids against Pirates at the Air Defence Stadium.
The aggregate winners advance to the two-legged final in late May and early June.
The much-anticipated clash between South African champions Sundowns and Egypt’s record 14-time title holders Al-Ahly saw few clear chances but abundant tactical intrigue, as both teams sought a psychological advantage ahead of the decisive second leg in Cairo.
Sundowns entered the match with hopes of capitalising on home advantage, but Al-Ahly’s defensive resilience and experience in high-stakes continental showdowns proved decisive in keeping the hosts at bay.
The home side dominated possession early on and looked to assert themselves with efforts from Teboho Mokoena and Lucas Ribeiro Costa. However, they struggled to break through a disciplined Al-Ahly defence marshalled by Mostafa Al-Aash and Yasser Ibrahim.
Al-Ahly came closest to scoring just before half-time when Nejc Gradisar saw his header crash off the post after being set up by Emam Ashour. Sundowns responded with efforts from Marcelo Allende and Peter Shalulile, but neither side could find the cutting edge in the final third.
Substitutions in the second half saw both coaches—Miguel Cardoso for Sundowns and Marcel Koller for Al-Ahly—try to tilt the balance in their favour. Arthur Sales and Iqraam Rayners were introduced for the hosts, while Achraf Bencharki and Akram Tawfik came on for the visitors.
But the breakthrough never arrived, with both goalkeepers—Ronwen Williams and Mohamed El-Shenawy—largely untested despite moments of attacking promise.
The draw leaves the tie finely poised ahead of next weekend’s return-leg at the Cairo International Stadium, a venue where Sundowns have traditionally struggled, cafonline.com reported.
Al-Ahly, unbeaten at home in the CAF Champions League since 2021, will now fancy their chances of securing a place in the final as they chase a record-extending 15th continental crown.
For Sundowns, who last lifted the trophy in 2016, the goalless first leg means they must do what they have failed to do in previous visits to Cairo—win.
In Johannesburg, a match dominated by VAR drama, near misses, and tactical discipline saw neither Pyramids FC nor Orlando Pirates break the deadlock, leaving everything to play for in next week’s second leg in Cairo.
Both teams had goals ruled out by VAR—Fiston Mayele’s first-half strike and Sodiq Ougola’s late finish were both chalked off for handball in the build-up, dampening what could have been decisive moments for the Egyptian visitors.
Orlando Pirates, making their first semi-final appearance since 2013, started brightly and nearly went ahead in the 15th minute when Patrick Maswanganyi rattled the post from long range.
Tshegofatso Mabasa and Thalente Mbatha also came close as the hosts probed with intent, but were repeatedly denied by a well-organised Pyramids defence.
At the other end, Pyramids FC—making their debut at this stage of the competition—relied on their structured approach and attacking bursts led by Mostafa Fathi and Blati Touré.
Despite enjoying large spells of possession in the second half, they struggled to breach a Pirates backline expertly marshalled by Nkosinathi Sibisi and goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
Substitutions by both sides in the second half, including the introduction of Evidence Makgopa and Ahmed Atef, added attacking impetus, but neither side could create clear-cut opportunities in a tight, physical encounter.
The result sets up a high-stakes second leg in Cairo, where Pyramids FC will hope to make home advantage count. But with Pirates’ impressive away form in this year’s campaign—they are unbeaten in their last three away games—the South Africans will travel with quiet confidence.
As the match ended with no goals, it was the defensive organisation and tactical rigidity that stole the spotlight, making for a cerebral clash between experience and ambition on the continental stage.
