Themba Zwane of Mamelodi Sundowns and Reda Slim of Al-Ahly.

• The
  Brazilians beat Al-Ahly 1-0 at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday afternoon to put
  them in a good position going to the second leg in Cairo on Wednesday.
• Thapelo
  Maseko’s goal ensured that South African clubs continued their trend of
  never having lost to Al-Ahly on home soil.
• That record, however, is why this slender win isn’t a
  major advantage as Al-Ahly destroys teams when they come up against them
  in Egypt. 
• For more sports news, go to the News24 Sport front page.

PRETORIA. – Mamelodi Sundowns put one toe in the final of the African Football League (AFL) with their 1-0 win over Al-Ahly at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday afternoon. It’s one toe, and not the whole foot because when the Red Devils are in Cairo – they are a different animal.

This win by Sundowns, via Thapelo Maseko’s goal, continued an interesting trend of the Egyptians who have now travelled to South Africa 15 times and have never won a contest here. The catch with that statistic is that as the only time they were outplayed in their own backyard – with Orlando Pirates’ 3-0 win in the group stage of the 2013 CAF Champions League.

Sundowns recorded their first win over Al-Ahly in Egypt last year when Thapelo Morena’s strike helped them to a 1-0 victory, but that was a close match. Before that win, Sundowns had made five trips to face Al-Ahly in Egypt, losing three matches and drawing the other two.

For Sundowns to reach the final, they must try to beat Al-Ahly in Cairo on Wednesday (kick-off is at 20:00 SA time) because going there for a draw would be suicidal.

While these two teams are fiercely competitive on the pitch, off the pitch, there is mutual respect and admiration for what both teams have been able to achieve. Just as it has been in the past, this was a football contest between two tactically astute and disciplined teams.

There were no handbags and confrontations, as is the case when Sundowns play other North African teams. This was just two African powerhouses slugging it out for the honor of a new trophy they both want to be the first to get their hands on.

The mutual respect and shared interests were evident in the number of Palestinian flags that flew at the stadium. A section of South Africans sympathizes with Palestine, especially those who suffered from the brutality of apartheid while Egypt is neighbors with Israel – which means the humanitarian crisis developing in Palestine would directly impact them, with Gaza refugees seeking shelter in Egypt.

The Palestinian flags were a powerful political statement, especially with leagues in various countries, including the Premier Soccer League, clamping down on political statements made on football pitches.

Rhulani Mokwena also made a large statement when he motioned towards Sundowns’ supporters to applaud Gaston Sirino when he was substituted around the hour mark. The fans duly obliged and showered the Uruguayan with some love, even though he was average in what would have been an emotional match for him – rekindling his relationship with Sundowns after trying to force his way out of the Brazilians to join Al-Ahly.

With Sirino missing in action, it was up to Marcelo Allende and Themba Zwane to make Sundowns play. The two had flashes of brilliance, but Maseko was the most forceful Sundowns player from the get-go. He showed the Egyptians no respect, going at them and quickly bouncing back when he made a mistake. His brilliant strike was a just reward for the player who has now scored two goals in three AFL appearances.