Masandawana were boosted by the return from injury of Themba Zwane.
Mamelodi Sundowns failed to get out of second gear in a tepid goalless draw with Al Ahly in their Caf Champions League semifinal, first leg at Loftus Stadium on Saturday.
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The result leaves Miguel Cardoso’s side with plenty to do in Cairo in the second leg. But they can take heart from not conceding an away goal. It was Marcel Koller’s Ahly who came the closest to scoring at Loftus Stadium, hitting the post and twice seeing goals disallowed for offside.
Sundowns’ Zwane returns
There was also a boost for Masandawana as Themba Zwane came off the bench for the last 20 minutes. Sundowns will need their creative talisman, back from a ruptured achilles tendon, to fire in Cairo and for the rest of the season.
Sundowns dominated possession in the early stages but couldn’t create much to threaten the away side.
Midfielder Teboho Mokoena did smash a trademark long-range shot over the bar in the 11th minute. But generally Miguel Cardoso’s side, with the onus on them to seize the initiative at home, were too slow and ponderous with their passing.
Al Ahly’s star attacking midfielder Emam Ashour was a livewire throughout the first half. In the 16th minute, he created space for a shot but fired straight at Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
On the half hour mark, Ashour found space in the box and got his head to a great chance, but again the effort went right into Williams’ grateful arms.
Sundowns looked nervy, snatching at half chances and on the rare occasions they won the ball high up the pitch, their passing was not accurate enough.
Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy did have to react well to punch away a vicious inswinging corner from Lucas Ribeiro.
Ahly strike the woodwork
But it was Ahly who came desperately close to scoring on the stroke of half time. Ashour’s cross found the head of Slovenian striker Nejc Gradisar, whose header cannoned back off the post.
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Sundowns continued to struggle to create chances after the break. Mokoena’s free kick had to be punched away by El Shenawy, but generally Ahly were all-too comfortable.
In the 70th minute, Zwane made his long-awaited return. Just seconds later, Ahly had the ball in the net, but Gradisar’s effort was ruled out for an offside in the build-up.
In stoppage time, Ahly also thought they had scored, as substitute Achraf Bencharki lifted a finish over Williams, but again the offside flag was raised.
