Staff Reporter.
Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane has revealed the treatment he has received from a section of South African fans ahead of their game against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday afternoon.
Mosimane master-minded the downfall of his former club, as the Red Devils progressed to the semi-finals 3-1 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw in the second-leg at Lucas Moripe Stadium.
“I remember the first time I came here with Mamelodi Sundowns to play against SuperSport United, I was emotional little bit emotional because I spent seven years at SuperSport United but we’re professionals and this is a game of football,” Mosimane said in a press conference.
“But I was little bit emotional only when I saw the placards outside and they stop the bus and all these people swearing at me, swearing at my mother,” he said.
“I said to myself, what else I should have done for this team to get the respect? But it’s football I understand and I know the person who did that. And I know the person who is behind that.
“Just bitter because I left, I had to move on with my life, there’s more, I don’t want to talk, the things that I’ve received before my match from South Africa, if I show you my phone, correspondence I’ve received, emails I’ve received, they just don’t let me go,” he revealed.
Ahly were allowed to settle into the game and struck a major blow in just the 11th minute, with Yasser Ibrahim putting them 1-0 up on the day and 3-0 overall. Amr El Soulia got a flick on from a corner kick and Ibrahim nodded the ball home at the far post to put the defending champions in total control of the tie.
Sundowns gradually found their attacking rhythm and were rewarded with a goal on the half-hour mark, as a short corner kick routine saw Aubrey Modiba whip an in-swinging cross into the danger area, allowing Mosa Lebusa to power a header past goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy to make it 1-1 on the day.
The Brazalians made a double change nine minutes after the restart, with one of their substitutes, Mauricio Affonso, almost making an immediate impact with a header from a free-kick that called El Shenawy into action.
Further attacking changes for the hosts saw Kermit Erasmus and Gift Motupa introduced in the 65th minute, and Downs had a goal disallowed soon after, with Peter Shaluile adjudged to have handled before putting his low shot beyond the keeper.
Sundowns had further attacking chances to try and put some nerves into the Ahly ranks, but a couple of smart saves from El Shenawy and a lack of precision in terms of finishing ensured that the hosts were left frustrated by the final whistle.
Al Ahly will face either CR Belouizdad or Esperance de Tunis in the semifinals next month. CRB take a 2-0 lead into their second-leg clash away to EST later this evening.