{"id":114803,"date":"2023-10-30T14:23:17","date_gmt":"2023-10-30T14:23:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/10\/30\/sundowns-edge-ahly-in-tense-afl-semi-final-first-leg\/"},"modified":"2023-10-30T14:23:17","modified_gmt":"2023-10-30T14:23:17","slug":"sundowns-edge-ahly-in-tense-afl-semi-final-first-leg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/10\/30\/sundowns-edge-ahly-in-tense-afl-semi-final-first-leg\/","title":{"rendered":"Sundowns edge Ahly in tense AFL semi-final first leg"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Mamelodi Sundowns claimed a vital 1-0 home win over Al Ahly in the first leg of their African Football League semi-final in Pretoria on Sunday.<\/p>\n

A second-half thunderbolt from Thapelo Maseko sealed victory for the South Africans, who largely bossed proceedings against the Egyptian giants at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.<\/p>\n

The hosts dominated the early exchanges with Marcelo Allende pulling the strings in midfield, although clear chances were limited.<\/p>\n

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Maseko went closest for Sundowns when his effort was superbly denied by Mohamed El Shenawy just after the half-hour mark.<\/p>\n

But the lively winger finally found the breakthrough in the 52nd minute, firing an unstoppable long-range strike beyond El Shenawy.<\/p>\n

Sundowns looked comfortable until the closing stages when Percy Tau appealed in vain for a penalty after going down under a challenge.<\/p>\n

However, the single goal was enough for Sundowns to gain a slender advantage ahead of Wednesday\u2019s second leg in Cairo.<\/p>\n

Coach Rhulani Mokwena will be satisfied with a performance that sets his side up nicely to progress to the inaugural AFL final.<\/p>\n

But Al Ahly remain very much in the tie as they prepare to welcome Sundowns to their intimidating Cairo fortress.<\/p>\n

The semi-final is finely poised.<\/p>\n

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