Al Ahly boss apologises for embarrassing loss

by Graeme Jackson

Monday Apr 08, 2019. 12:14

Al Ahly manager Martin Lasarte has apologised to the club’s fans following their embarrassing loss to Mamelodi Sundowns this past weekend.

The Egyptian giants were humbled by the South African side in the first leg of a CAF Champions League quarterfinal played in Tshwane on Saturday afternoon, as goals from Themba Zwane, Wayne Arendse, Ricardo Nascimento, Gaston Sirino and former Ahly player Phakamani Mahlambi secured a 5-0 win for the Brazilians.

The defeat was Al Ahly’s biggest in Africa club competition, prompting their Uruguayan manager to issue an apology.

“We have certainly played a bad game, and we need to work in the upcoming period,” Lasarte said in his post-match press conference.

“I would like to send a message to the Al Ahly fans who attended the game in South Africa, as well as the ones who watched the game on TV. We are sorry.

“We are embarrassed and apologise to you. There is nothing else to be said. We will talk less and work more from now on,” he added.

The return game will be played in Suez on Saturday 13 April, with Sundowns taking a five-goal advantage in the second leg as clear favourites to advance.