3 predictions for Mamelodi Sundowns vs Al Ahly – African Football League

Mamelodi Sundowns players shaking hands — Credit: Icon Sport

An interesting heavyweight clash in the first-leg semi-finals of the African Football League will see Mamelodi Sundowns trade tackles with Al Ahly on Sunday afternoon.

Kick-off is scheduled at 15:00 SAST, 29 October 2023 at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in South Africa.

Up Next 🔜 A continental mega-clash against The Red Devils! 🌍👆

⚽ Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Al Ahly
📅 29 October
⏰ 15H00
🏟 Loftus Versfeld Stadium
📲 #Sundowns #AFL pic.twitter.com/coYdHYO2ni

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) October 26, 2023

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Al Ahly match preview

Mamelodi Sundowns

Masandawana have their eyes set on picking up a win against Al Ahly Cairo, and will fight with everything to come out with the advantage.

They come into the game on the back of a 2-0 aggregate win over Angolan side Petro de Luanda in the quarterfinals.

Rhulani Mokwena's men got the job done away from home, taking full advantage of a first-half penalty miss from Petro to set up a second half in which Marcelo Allende and Thapelo Maseko scored to ensure a big advantage.

The return leg offered little after Mothobi Mvala got sent off early on as the Brazilians held on with their lead to record a goalless draw and a semi-final berth.

Gaston Sirino in action for Mamelodi Sundowns — Credit: Icon Sport

Al Ahly

Al Ahly, on the other hand, came off thrilling first and second-leg affairs with Simba SC to qualify on the away goals rule following a 3-3 aggregate result.

The Egyptian giants played out a 2-2 draw with the Tanzanian side away from home in the first leg and followed that up with a 1-1 draw at home to ensure their place in the semis.

As perennial continental winners, they'll be looking to play another final and win the maiden competition. However, Sundowns stands in their way, who has an unbeaten record in this fixture in their last four encounters.

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Al Ahly predictions

Al Ahly and Sundowns have won a combined 12 CAF Champions League titles between them, and have both been dominant forces in their domestic leagues.

These clubs are usual faces in continental competitions, both semi-finalists last season in the CAF Champions League and have met quite a number of times. Sundowns lead 4-3 on head-to-head wins.

With fans anticipating a tough affair between them on Sunday, let's look at three predictions for the game.

Prediction 1: Mamelodi Sundowns to win

The Brazilians are slight favourites to win the first leg at home. Previous clashes between them also back this up as Sundowns have beaten the Red Devils in each of their last two visits to South Africa.

The PSL reigning champions have also recorded three wins in the last four skirmishes with Al Ahly and have also gone unbeaten in that stretch.

With a matter of the fans being on their side and a ground that has been a fortress for Mokwena's team this season, it will be surprising for Al Ahly to go home without defeat.

Prediction 2: Both teams to score

These sides met twice in the Champions League group stage earlier this year, and both matches ended with goals scored by each of them.

It's worth mentioning that Sundowns and the Red Devils can score and also concede, as this has happened in their respective matches this season.

With a place in the finals of this competition at stake, neither side can afford to draw blanks. We back them to breach each other at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

Al Ahly players in their game against Mamelodi Sundowns — Credit: Icon Sport

Prediction 3: Over 2.5 goals

Clashes involving these teams in recent times have been high-scoring with 11 goals scored in their last two encounters.

Sundowns and Al Ahly this season have shown good form in front of the goalpost as both sides have good players who can bang in the goals.

As a matter of fact, six of the last seven matches for Al Ahly this season ended with at least three goals, while Masandawana have managed over 2.5 results in three of their last seven encounters.

With both teams in top form this season, we're fairly confident this clash will give us goals once again.