Badji identifies Sundowns as toughest opponent yet

Aliou Badji of Al Ahly challenged by Anele Ngcongca of Sundowns during the 2019/20 CAF Champions League quarterfinal football match between Sundowns and Al Ahly at Lucas Moripe Stadium, Pretoria on 07 March 2020 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

by Bertin Basson

Sunday May 10, 2020. 09:00

Al Ahly forward Aliou Badji has identified Mamelodi Sundowns as his toughest opponent yet.

Talking to Egyptian news outlet On-Time Sport as reported by KickOff.com, the Senegal national claimed that during his time with the Egyptian giants thus far, Sundowns posed the biggest challenge.

The 22-year-old joined the Red Devils from Austrian Bundesliga outfit Rapid Vienna in January for a reported transfer fee of €2-million.

He has scored one goal in seven appearances for the runaway Egyptian Premier League leaders and featured in both of the club’s CAF Champions League quarterfinal matches against Sundowns, which they won 3-1 on aggregate. Al Ahly will face Wydad Casablanca in the final four.

“I was told that Al-Ahly had not defeated Pyramids, it was a tough game, but the Sundowns match was the most difficult, technically and physically,” Badji said.

“We attended the Sundowns match with a full-strength squad and I was ready to participate. It is a shame that Al Ahly lost twice to Sundowns because we are the best in Africa.

“I learned of Al-Ahly’s loss against Sundowns with five goals, and everyone had a determination and determination to erase the effects of last year’s defeat,” he concluded.