Online Reporter
SOUTH AFRICAN and Egyptian teams secured victories in the first-leg matches of the CAF Champions League quarterfinals played across Africa on Tuesday, with Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, Al Ahly and Pyramids FC emerging triumphant.
Reigning African kings Al Ahly secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Al Hilal at the Cairo International Stadium thanks to Mohamed Hany’s early strike — putting to bed some rocky recent form to underline their status as perennial favourites for Africa’s premier club competition.
The only away win of the day came at the 5 July 1962 Stadium in Algiers, as South Africa’s Orlando Pirates defeated MC Alger 1-0, courtesy of a goal midway through the second half from rising star Mohau Nkota.
The biggest winning margin in the first legs was secured by Pyramids FC, who thumped ASFAR 4-1 at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo to put one foot in the final four.
The Egyptian hosts boasted a brace apiece by Fiston Mayele and Ibrahim Adel, while the Moroccan visitors have a slight foothold in the tie thanks to Abdelfettah Hadraf’s away goal.
The lone afternoon match was played in Pretoria, South Africa, as Mamelodi Sundowns edged Esperance de Tunis 1-0.
A scrappy, forgettable match was decided by a goal early in the second half from Namibian forward Peter Shalulile.
The second-leg matches will be held on Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 April next week.
CAC CHAMPIONS RESULTS
Quarterfinal, first-leg matches
Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 Esperance de Tunis
Al Ahly 1-0 Al Hilal
MC Alger 0-1 Orlando Pirates
Pyramids FC 4-1 ASFAR. — SuperSport.
derick.khumalo