Al Ahly ask CAF to postpone Sundowns clash

by Staff Reporter

Monday Mar 25, 2019. 16:00

Egyptian giants and eight-time Caf Champions League winners, Al Ahly, have sent an official letter to the Confederations of African football requesting the postponement of their impending quarter-final clash against Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Red Devils have asked that their first-leg encounter initially scheduled for April 5 at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, be postponed by one day - as per KingFut.com.

Al Ahly booked their place in the knockout stages after finishing atop Group D. The South African champions finished second behind Wydad Casablanca in Group A.

“It is very difficult for us to play on April 5, especially as the team will arrive in South Africa on April 4,” Al Ahly’s director of football Sayed Abdel-Hafi told Al Ahly’s official website.

“This puts a lot of pressure on the players because of the long flight to South Africa and the lack of rest before our game with Sundowns.

“I hope that the CAF will take into account the circumstances in which Al Ahly are going through and postpone the match for one day,” he concluded.

The Red Devils are set to play against Zamalek, Ittihad of Alexandria and Sundowns in the space of a week.

Pitso Mosimane's men face a fixture congestion of their own and are set to take on title rivals Orlando Pirates next Monday before Al Ahly's visit that Friday.

Al Ahly are set to host the Brazilians for the reverse fixture in Cairo on April 12.