Stalemate at Loftus: Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly Share the Spoils in Cagey 0-0 Draw
Pretoria – In a highly anticipated CAF Champions League 1st leg semi-final clash, Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly SC played out a tense 0-0 draw at a packed Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday, 19 April 2025. The goalless result leaves everything to play for in the second leg in Cairo, with both sides showing glimpses of quality but ultimately cancelling each other out in a tactical chess match.
Both Sundowns and Al Ahly came into the encounter with rich recent histories in African football, and the first leg lived up to its billing as a meeting of the continent’s elite. Sundowns, supported by their home fans in Pretoria, managed just 8 attempts at goal, none of which were on target. Al Ahaly attempted 12 shots at the goal, with 3 hitting the target.
Al Ahly, twelve-time CAF Champions League winners, were happy to absorb pressure and look for counter-attacking opportunities, with Nejc Gradišar and Ahmed Reda Hashem showing flashes of danger on the break.
The atmosphere was electric. But when Miguel Cardoso turned to his bench and called on Themba Zwane midway through the second half, the stadium erupted like never before. After months on the sidelines with a long-term injury, the talismanic midfielder made his long-awaited return to the pitch — and it was nothing short of emotional.
Cardoso, recently appointed as head coach, had been cagey all week about Zwane’s fitness, keeping fans guessing. But when the fourth official lifted the board and Zwane’s number flashed in red and green, the entire stadium rose in unison. The roar that followed shook the stands at Loftus Versfeld, a clear sign of how much the club and its supporters had missed “Mshishi.”
“It felt like a homecoming,” Cardoso said post-match. “He’s worked incredibly hard to get back, and we could feel the energy shift the moment he stepped onto the pitch.”
Zwane’s introduction brought an immediate spark. His touch was smooth, his vision sharp, and even after months away, he looked as composed as ever. His mere presence lifted the tempo, as the team pushed harder with renewed confidence. Every touch was met with cheers, every turn with applause — it was a celebration of a player who means so much to South African football.
Themba Zwane, a mainstay in the national team and a legend in the making, didn’t just return to the game — he returned to a hero’s welcome.
And for Cardoso, who’s already making bold moves in reshaping the side, bringing back Zwane in this moment felt like more than just a substitution. It was a statement.
The goalless draw hands Mamelodi Sundowns a slight advantage going into the second leg in Cairo, as the aggregate situation now works in their favor. A scoring draw or any outright win will be enough to see them through.
The second leg is set for Friday, 25 April 2025, at 18:00, and will take place at the iconic Cairo International Stadium in Egypt. The winner of this clash will go on to face the victor between Pyramids FC and Orlando Pirates, whose semi-final showdown is scheduled for later that evening at 20:00, also in Egypt.