Sundowns edge past Al-Ahly in African derby at Loftus

Mamelodi Sundowns took a huge step towards reaching the final of the inaugural African Football League (AFL) following a 1-0 over Al-Ahly at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday.

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Thapelo Maseko’s stunning goal separated the two sides ahead of Wednesday’s second leg in Egypt.

Sundowns wasn’t short of any inspiration after the Springboks defended their Rugby World Cup title against New Zealand on Saturday.

As the country was still celebrating the historic 12-11 victory of the All Blacks, South African flags could be seen in the stands of the traditional rugby stadium which the DStv Premiership champions share with the Blue Bulls.

The Brazilians also had a special guest at their Chloorkop training ground on Friday, IBF junior flyweight world champion Sivenathi Nontshinga was brought in to motivate Rulani Mokwena’s charges ahead of the clash against the Red Devils.

The home team didn’t disappoint either, giving their fans who braved rainy weather in Tshwane something to smile about in the first leg of the semi-final encounter.

The two teams were evenly matched in the first half and there was little in the way of goal-mouth action on both ends of the pitch.

It took 30 minutes for the home team to create the first real opening of the match. Maseko’s header forced Ahly captain Mohamed El Shenawy into a one-haned save but Sundowns failed to make use of the resultant corner kick.

For all their ball possession in the opening 45 minutes, the Tshwane giants were perhaps slow in moving the ball around and never looked like troubling the visitors who kept their shape at the back.

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Aubrey Modiba came close to breaking the deadlock a minute after the restart. His long range effort missed the target by an inch with the diving El Shenawy well-beaten.

Maseko produced a moment of brilliance to put his team in front with a powerful shot from 30 yards out to bag his second goal of the newly-formed competition.

The 11-time Caf Champions League did trouble Sundowns late in the second-half but Ronwen Williams was on hand to push them over the line.