Mamelodi Sundowns extended their unbeaten streak against African heavyweights Al Ahly to nine matches with a gritty 1-1 draw in Cairo—a result that sent them to the CAF Champions League final and kept their dream of continental glory alive.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsComing into the second leg at the iconic Cairo International Stadium, the odds were stacked against the South Africans. A goalless draw in Pretoria had given Al Ahly a psychological edge, especially with the famed Cairo crowd behind them.The “Club of the Century” rarely falters on home soil, and many expected them to finish the job in front of their passionate fans.Kenya U20 midfielder opens up on Juventus opportunity, career path, ahead of U20 AFCONFrom the onset, the tone of the match was clear: intensity, structure, and calculated risks. Al Ahly drew first blood in the 24th minute, riding the momentum and playing to the crowd’s energy. For long stretches, it looked like they had the tactical upper hand.But a late own goal by Yasser Ibrahim would turn the tide, allowing Sundowns to hold on through a tense seven minutes of stoppage time and clinch their first final appearance since 2016.At the heart of the match was a fascinating tactical chess match between Al Ahly’s Marcel Koller and Sundowns’ Miguel Cardoso. While Koller leaned on transitional play and defensive organisation, Cardoso rolled the dice with a fluid and unconventional tactical approach that eventually bore fruit.##NAJAVA_MECA_8884587##Sundowns’ Tactical Identity: Adaptation and BoldnessCardoso began with a nominal 4-3-3, but as is often the case with Sundowns, the system morphed into something far more complex. In possession, they transitioned into a 4-2-2-2 shape.Teboho Mokoena and Jayden Adams sat in the pivot, while Marcelo Allende and Lucas Ribero floated in the half-spaces as dual playmakers. Fullbacks Khuliso Mudau and Aubrey Modiba bombed forward, stretching the pitch and creating wide overloads.20-year-old Homeboyz forward’s target after making debutThe goal? Central dominance through a box midfield, combined with width to pull Al Ahly out of shape. It is a brave setup—one that relies on constant movement and risks leaving spaces behind.Koller’s Counter: Discipline and DirectnessKoller, aware of the danger, countered with a structured 3-4-2-1 system. His wingbacks provided width while the double 10s operated in the half-spaces, lurking to exploit gaps left by Sundowns’ advancing fullbacks.##NAJAVA_MECA_8884581##Defensively, Al Ahly were superb for much of the game. They dropped into a 5-2-3 without the ball, stifling Mokoena and Adams by cutting off supply through the centre. If Sundowns broke the first press, Al Ahly would reset into a disciplined 5-4-1 low block, waiting to pounce on errors.It was from such a moment that the breakthrough came. Sundowns, building from the back, lost the ball in transition. Emam Ashour surged forward, releasing Taher Mohamed into space left by the advanced Modiba.Taher did not hesitate—his rocket from outside the box beat Ronwen Williams at the near post. A clever decoy run by Nejc Gradisar occupied Grant Kekana, isolating Taher against Mosa Lebusa—a mismatch that Al Ahly exploited clinically.Gor Mahia’s proposed 60,000 seater stadium and location elicits mixed reactions from fansCardoso’s Response: Patience, Then PrecisionDespite the setback, Cardoso remained composed. Sundowns continued probing, finding limited joy against a resolute Al Ahly defense. In the sixth minute, a golden chance fell to Matthews after a clever pass from Ribero, but the shot went wide—a warning sign for Al Ahly that Sundowns were very much in the game.Halftime arrived with the hosts ahead, but Sundowns never lost their shape or belief. Cardoso’s first tactical adjustment came 20 minutes into the second half: Adams made way for Themba Zwane, pushing Allende deeper to orchestrate play from midfield.##NAJAVA_MECA_8884586##Then came the introduction of Peter Shalulile and Iqraam Rayners for Matthews and Ribero—two forwards known for their relentless pressing and box movement.But it was Cardoso’s final roll of the dice that changed everything. He withdrew fullback Modiba, switched to a back three, and sent on Divine Lunga and the versatile Arthur to overload the box. It was a calculated gamble, one that leaned fully into Al Ahly’s tendency to react slowly to balls delivered into the area.The moment of reckoning came in the 90th minute. Lunga whipped in a dangerous cross from the left, Arthur flicked it across goal, and in the ensuing scramble, Yasser Ibrahim inadvertently turned the ball into his own net. Cairo fell silent. Sundowns had their equaliser, and more importantly, control of their fate.Golden Glove race heats up as Harambee Stars goalkeeper makes his caseCardoso then closed the game with another tactical shift, reverting to a back five to absorb pressure and protect the precious away-goal advantage. It was tactical pragmatism at its finest, and Sundowns saw out the result to book their date with another Egyptian side, Pyramids FC in the final.A Game of Margins, Won by BoldnessThis was a battle of chess-like precision where tactics dictated the rhythm of the game. Al Ahly played with discipline, structure, and transitional sharpness—but in the end, it was Cardoso’s adaptability and bravery that stole the show.##NAJAVA_MECA_8884597##His use of a box midfield, attacking fullbacks, and late tactical shifts exposed Al Ahly’s weaknesses at key moments.For all of Al Ahly’s pedigree, it was Sundowns who played with the daring of champions. They trusted their system, adjusted intelligently, and pounced when the opportunity came.If this performance is anything to go by, Mamelodi Sundowns are not just finalists—they are serious contenders for the continental crown.
