The Inaugural CAF African Football League kicked off with star matches producing spectacular results.
Mamelodi Sundowns earned a crucial 2-0 first leg victory away to Petro Atletico on Angola in their African Football League (AFL) quarter-final on Saturday.
Second half goals from Marcelo Allende and Gift Maseko gave South Africa’s Sundowns a commanding advantage to take back home for the second leg.
Their win avenged last season’s Champions League exit to Petro and put the Brazilians on the brink of a semi-final spot.
Despite dominating the first half, clear chances were scarce until Petro were awarded a penalty which Hugo Marquez saved to deny Gilberto.
Also Read: African Football League Set For Debut
Sundowns continued to dictate after the break and finally made the breakthrough just after the hour mark.
2️⃣ clinical finishes are enough 🎯 🎯#AFL | #CAF | #FIFA pic.twitter.com/Hij95LSoAG
— African Football League (@afl_africa) October 21, 2023
Allende tapped in at the back post after a fine move involving Mothobi Mvala and Junior Mendieta put the Chilean through.
Petro battled to get back into the tie but hopes were extinguished when Maseko sealed victory nine minutes from time.
GOAL! Thapelo Maseko doubles Sundowns’ lead.
Petro de Luanda 0-2 Mamelodi SundownsWatch live and replay on https://t.co/DIk5JeITof 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nhAKLbRLjZ
— African Football League (@afl_africa) October 21, 2023
It gives Sundowns a perfect start to the inaugural AFL and leaves them on the cusp of becoming the first southern African side to reach the semi-finals.
With a two-goal lead to defend at home next weekend, coach Rhulani Mokwena will be confident his side can progress to the last four.
Battle
It was a fight to finish in Dar es Salam as Tanzania’s Simba fought back to hold Egyptian giants Al Ahly 2-2 on Friday.
In a dramatic opener to the new pan-African tournament, Simba recovered from a goal down to lead before Al Ahly hit back to ensure the first-leg tie is evenly poised.
The first half was tightly contested until Al Ahly struck against the run of play through Reda Slim in the first minute of stoppage time.
GOAL! Reda Slim scores the first goal in the inaugural African Football League. Simba SC 0-1 Al Ahly.
Watch live and replay on https://t.co/DIk5JeITof 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rAQf05fhHI— African Football League (@afl_africa) October 20, 2023
But Simba turned the game on its head after the break, equalising through Denis Kibu in the 53rd minute before Sadjo Kanoute put the hosts ahead on the hour mark.
Simba SC equalise! Kibu Denis scores to make it 1-1!
Watch live and replay on https://t.co/DIk5JeITof 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ptV0Y7Oqgm— African Football League (@afl_africa) October 20, 2023
Back to back goals for Simba SC! Sadio Kanouté makes it 2-1!
Watch live and replay on https://t.co/DIk5JeITof 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1lSG3zwem7— African Football League (@afl_africa) October 20, 2023
However, the Tanzanian side’s lead lasted just three minutes as Ahmed Kahraba immediately pegged them back to make it 2-2.
Goal for Al Ahly! Kahraba makes it 2-2!
Watch African Football League matches on https://t.co/DIk5JeITof 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hqOHVAyugV— African Football League (@afl_africa) October 20, 2023
Neither team could find a late winner in a thrilling end-to-end finish as the first leg ended level.
With away goals no longer counting double, the tie hangs beautifully in the balance heading into the return match in Egypt next weekend.
The breathless match encapsulated the excitement and unpredictability that the new African Football League promises to deliver.
More matches will be played on Sunday.
Source: CAF
