BETTER THE RED DEVILS YOU KNOW
MAMELODI Sundowns’ clash with Al Ahly will produce a number of interesting duels that will go a long way in deciding who will advance to the semi-finals of the Champions League. The Egyptian club arrived in the country with a 2-0 lead from their first leg clash of their quarter-final in Cairo. The Brazilians have to overturn that defeat at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday if they are to reach the last four for a second season in a row. And just like last season, they have to get past Al Ahly to achieve that feat. Here, BONGINKOSI NDADANE takes a look at those key clashes...
WAYNE ARENDSE v JUNIOR AJAYI
Arendse is calmness personified. The Sundowns centre-back goes about his job quietly with no frills or thrills. He is a respected figure at the club, which is why he wears the captain’s armband when Hlompho Kekana isn’t around. He is strong aerially and his positioning is good. What he lacks in speed, he makes up for in intelligence. And Arendse will have to bring all this intelligence when he faces Ajayi.
The Nigerian forward is a lethal finisher. Ajayi is strong, agile and has a powerful shot.
The striker is very good at shielding the ball and playing with his back to defenders. He is a handful because when one path is closed, he bulldozes his way to open another. Arendse’s experience will come in handy against the 24-year-old who has a knack of finding himself in the right place at the right time.
THEMBA ZWANE v AHMED FATHI
If Zwane is the artist who plays Sundowns’ piano, then Fathi is the conductor of the Al Ahly orchestra. When they turn it on, they both produce sweet music that has seen them earn praise and respect across the continent. Zwane finished the 2018/19 Champions League as the top goalscorer even though Sundowns crashed out in the semi-finals. He is an instrumental figure at Sundowns, making the club play with his skills and trickery. The music he has played in the Champions League has been slow, so he needs to bring the house down at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
But standing in his way will be a veteran and a tough competitor. Fathi, 35, is one of the most decorated players on the continent with three Champions League titles, three Africa Cup of Nations winner’s medals and 10 Egyptian league titles.
MOTJEKA MADISHA v ALI MAALOUL
The Tunisian left-back is the reason Al Ahly have one foot in the semifinals. Maaloul’s brace knocked the wind out of the Brazilians’ sails in Cairo in the first leg. Al Ahly knew that Sundowns had problems on their right flank in defence with injuries to Thapelo Morena and Anele Ngcongca. While Morena gave the team impetus going forward, Ngcongca is an experienced figure who is solid in defence. Without the pair, Sundowns were forced to move Madisha from centre-back to play at right-back. He had his hands full with Al Ahly, who put pressure on him, including pushing Maaloul high up the pitch.
Al Ahly’s game plan revolves around pushing their fullbacks high up on the field to put their opponents on the back foot from the outset. Madisha will have to be alert as Al Ahly will be cautious in their approach with the 2-0 lead, looking to catch Sundowns on a counter.