Koller plots Sundowns shoutout in Cairo

by Staff Reporter

Sunday Apr 20, 2025. 15:00

Al Ahly head coach Marcel Koller insists the job is only half done after they held Mamelodi Sundowns to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the CAF Champions League semi-finals on Saturday.

A tactical battle at Loftus Versfeld led to very few clear-cut chances from either team, although the Red Eagles came closest to scoring when Nejc Gradisar saw his header hit the post just before half-time.

Bafana ba Style have only scored three goals on their travels in Africa’s elite club competition since the group stages got underway, but they’ve also only conceded three times in four away games.

However, Koller isn’t taking anything for granted and will prepare methodically for the second leg in Cairo on April 25 to ensure the 12-time African champions reach the final for the sixth year running.

“We faced a strong opponent and missed several scoring chances, but we prevented them from taking control at home,” Koller said after the match in Pretoria.

“The tie is decided over two matches, and we still have the return leg. We are well aware of the threat our opponents pose, we’ll prepare thoroughly to keep them from scoring.”

No club has won the coveted trophy three years in a row, but the Egyptian giants are bidding to rewrite the history books as they set their sights on qualifying for the final a record 18th time.