South Africa Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns has released a preliminary report on alleged incident that delayed Al Ahly’s bus ahead of their CAF Champions League duel at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
This comes day after Al Ahly lodged official complaint to CAF accusing Sundowns’ fans for stopping their bus carrying their first team, which was forced to use another route to enter the venue.
The game between the two African football rivals did get underway at 15h30 as scheduled, but the defending champions suffered a 1-0 defeat after Peter Shalulile netted the game’s only goal in the first half.
Sundowns have since revealed the reason that led to the Egyptian side arrival at the match venue in Johannesburg in a letter to Al Ahly president Mahmoud El Khatib.
“The preliminary information that we received, indicates that the delay was caused by a traffic jam on the road leading to FNB Stadium where spectators joined the Al Ahly convoy while it was traveling to the stadium,” said Sundowns chairman Tlhopane Motsepe in a letter to Al Ahly.
“Sundowns has a duty and an obligation to ensure that Al Ahly is treated with the respect, courtesy, and dignity that it deserves.
“Mamelodi Sundowns is committed to maintaining and building its historical relationship with Al Ahly for the long-term benefit and growth of both clubs, their supporters, and African football.
We wish you and Al Ahly everything of the best.”
The Brazilians 1-0 win over the Red Devils opened a six-point gap ahead of the African champions at the top of Group A. Sudan’s Al Hilal and Al Merrikh are the other teams in the pool.
