Record champions Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns drew 2-2 in Cairo on Saturday, as Al Ahly’s hunt for a maiden Group B victory in the 2022/2023 CAF Champions League continued.
The Egyptian giants, who also lost a penalty kick, had come from a goal down to lead 2-1.
But substitute Thapelo Morena thumped home with 10 minutes left as the 2016 champions their unbeaten run.
Peter Shalulile gave Sundowns a 1-0 lead at the break, but goals from Mohamed Abdelomonem and Hussein El Shahat in the second half saw Ahly take the lead.
But, the Egyptians could not guard a win at home as Mamelodi Sundowns fought for a single point on the road.
Shalulile broke the deadlock for the South African side in the 34th minute.
That was when he stretched to tap home inside the penalty box after a decent cross from the left by Cassius Mailula.
Shalulile had a chance to make it 2-0 before the break but he could not keep his head down from an Aubrey Modiba cross.
Al Ahly did not have many open chances, with Aliou Dieng shooting over from close range.
Magdy Afsha also rocketed a half-volley over the bar from a Percy tau knockdown.
They came off the break a more determined lot and just four minutes after the restart they had a chance to score when Tau was fouled inside the penalty box.
However, Mohamed Hanny saw his penalty kick saved by Ronwen Williams.
But, they kept the push and were rewarded in the 59th minute when Abdelmonem finished off Ali Maaloul’s delivery.
They went into the lead in the 74th minute when Elshahat scored a beauty of a goal.
He twisted and turned from his marker inside the penalty box before slamming a shot past the goalkeeper.
But, their hopes of victory were thwarted six minutes later when Morena scored from inside the penalty box.
He reacted quickest after Mailula’s shot from the edge of the area came off the post.
With the result, Mamelodi Sundowns remain top of the group with seven points while Al Ahly picked their first point in two matches.
Elsewhere in Casablanca, Raja Club Athletic maintained their 100 percent record in the group phase with a well worked 2-0 win over Guinea’s Horoya.
Hamza Khabba’s third goal in as many matches and Naoufel Zerhouni’s beauty late in the second half saw Raja move to nine points with a well deserved victory.
Khjabba scored with three minutes left before the break when he volleyed home from inside the penalty box after picking up a little clipped pass from Jamal Harkass.
Before that, they had some chances with Abdelilah Hafidi having the best, a shot from inside the penalty box which flushed just wide.
Horoya’s clearest aim at goal in the opening 45 was via Alseny Soumah who fired a shot wide from the left after finding some shooting space.
In the second half, Raja completely dominated and they buried the game deep into added time.
Zerhouni broke into the penalty box after some little movement to shake off his marker and send a thumping shot beyond the goalkeeper.
(NAN)
