What went wrong for mamelodi sundowns against al ahly and how they can turn it around

Mamelodi Sundowns suffered a 2-0 defeat against Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League quarterfinals, first leg. Here are some key factors that contributed to their loss and potential areas for improvement:

  1. Defensive vulnerabilities: Sundowns' defense was breached twice, with Al Ahly's attackers exploiting the spaces between the midfield and defense. The South African team struggled to contain the Egyptian side's pace and movement.
  2. Lack of possession: Sundowns failed to dominate possession, allowing Al Ahly to dictate the pace of the game. This limited their ability to create scoring opportunities and forced them to defend for long periods.
  3. Ineffective midfield: Sundowns' midfield trio of Hlompho Kekana, Themba Zwane, and Sibusiso Vilakazi failed to control the tempo of the game. They were often outnumbered and outmuscled by Al Ahly's midfielders.
  4. Poor set pieces: Sundowns' set pieces, including corners and free kicks, were ineffective, failing to create any meaningful scoring opportunities.
  5. Inconsistent finishing: When Sundowns did create chances, they were unable to convert them into goals. Their finishing was inconsistent, with several shots going wide or being saved by the Al Ahly goalkeeper.

To turn the tie around, Sundowns can focus on the following areas:

  1. Improve defensive organization: Sundowns need to work on their defensive shape and communication to prevent Al Ahly's attackers from finding space and exploiting their weaknesses.
  2. Increase possession: By maintaining possession, Sundowns can limit Al Ahly's opportunities and create scoring chances through sustained attacks.
  3. Midfield adjustments: Sundowns may need to make changes to their midfield setup to better match Al Ahly's midfield intensity. This could involve introducing a more defensive-minded player or shifting Kekana to a more defensive role.
  4. Set piece improvements: Sundowns should work on their set piece delivery and movement to create more scoring opportunities from dead-ball situations.
  5. Clinical finishing: The team needs to improve their finishing, focusing on precision and power to convert their chances into goals.
  6. Goalkeeper distribution: Sundowns' goalkeeper, Denis Onyango, needs to improve his distribution to start counter-attacks and provide his team with a better platform to launch attacks.
  7. Tactical adjustments: The team may need to make tactical changes, such as introducing a more attacking player or shifting their formation to create more opportunities.

By addressing these areas, Sundowns can improve their chances of turning the tie around and advancing to the CAF Champions League semifinals.