Sundowns and Ahly's goalless draw sets the stage for a thrilling second leg

Mamelodi Sundowns 0

Al Ahly                        0

GOALLESS draws are invariably described as dour, boring, lacklustre, dull and tedious even. Throw any adjective that means bland and it often goes with matches that produce no goals.  Yet, anyone who dares label this one thus should be declared persona non grata from the beautiful game.

This was a top class encounter by two of the continent's premier outfits, a chess-like match that would have had the legendary Garry Kasparov, Boris Spassky and Bobby Fisher applauding.

Sure the 'Queens' were protected throughout at Loftus Versfeld and none of the clubs got to say 'check mate', but it was a fantastic tie this alright. And it makes for an even more intriguing second clash next Friday in Cairo.

Sundowns would be pleased to not have allowed Ahly the crucial away goal knowing that should they find the net next week, their adversaries would have to double up if they are to remain in line for an unprecedented hat-trick of victories in the continent’s premier club knockout competition. 

Such is Champions League football in Africa though that it is surely advantage Ahly now.

Of course, nothing can ever be taken for granted – the Red Devils having already lost to a South African team – Orlando Pirates - in their own backyard in this year’s competition.

But at the final whistle coach Marcel Kohler’s face was beaming as he slapped the open hands of the members of his bench in celebration.

Juxtapose that with Miguel Cardoso’s reaction and you knew the story – Sundowns have their backs against the wall in this one.

The Portuguese coach of the South African champions looked shell-shocked as he stood motionless with his hands in his pockets on the touchline watching as his players also resembled a group disappointed they’d not won the match.

Al Ahly would also have been encouraged by the fact that they managed to find the Sundowns net, not once but twice albeit from offside positions.

That ability to breach the opposition rearguard is surely something to build on and Kohler is sure to tell his players to try more of the same and ask the forwards to delay their runs a little.

Slovenia's Nejc Gradisar scored in the first half while substitute Bencharki beat Ronwen  Williams late on having strayed offside before receiving the long punted pass from the midfield.

Gfradisar had also beaten the South African skipper before the breaker with a superb header from inside the small box only for the ball to ricochet off the upright and back into play.

Ahly had a lot of positives to take from the match and they were understandably in celebratory mood at the final whistle.

Football is fickle at the top though and there’s nothing to say Sundowns cannot up their game for the second leg.

While they did not really create clear-cut chances, they looked businesslike as they ventured forward and solid defensively except for that moment when they allowed Emam Ashour to cross for Gradisar to head unmarked only for the pole to come to their rescue.

Sundowns attempted to knock the ball about to open the opposition up but met with an unbreakable red wall and had to revert to shots from range, especially in the first half with both Teboho Mokoena and Marcello Allende disturbing the birds’ flying patterns with their attempts.

Lucas Ribeiro threatened with a corner kick that needed Mohamed El Shenaway to be alert and double fist the ball that was swerving in towards goal away from danger.

The highlight of the match for the home side was the return to action of Themba Zwane who came on for Jayden Adams on 69 minutes.

Out of action for the last seven months due to an Achilles injury, Mshshi looked to still have the silky skills as he showed some deft touches to open up the Ahly defence shortly after coming on.

But you knew he still has some work to do when minutes later he failed to reach a return pass sliced through for him into the box.

As coaches love to say, it is only half time and with no goals and the match essentially set to start on a clean slate in Cairo – it is still anybody’s game.

A Sundowns goal away will put pressure on Ahly but you can bet the Red Devils are counting on their supporters to push them over the line.

Brace yourselves for another tactical encounter of chess-game proportions. And do not dare suggest it would be boring.