Fabian McCarthy of SundownsGallo

Fabian McCarthy: First-leg result will be key to Sundowns eliminating Al Ahly in Caf Champions League

Ex-Mamelodi Sundowns defender Fabian McCarthy believes that his former side can eliminate Al Ahly and go on to win this season's Caf Champions League title.

The Brazilians were on Wednesday night pitted against the Egyptian football heavyweights in the quarter-finals.

"Well, it will all depend on how they play in the first-leg encounter at home," McCarthy told Goal.

"The first-leg result is important because I played against Al Ahly in the 2001 final and they beat us, unfortunately," he continued.

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Sundowns were held to a 1-1 draw by Al Ahly in the 2001 Champions League final first-leg encounter at home, before losing 3-0 away from home in the return leg.

The two teams are set to clash in South Africa in the first-leg match on the weekend of April 5 with the return leg scheduled a week later in Egypt. 

"South African teams tend to be drawn against Egyptian clubs in the knockout stages of the Champions League," the former Kaizer Chiefs player said.

McCarthy has been impressed by how Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane has managed his squad as they challenge for both the Caf Champions League and PSL titles.

"Coach Pitso will make sure that the team is well prepared for the two matches against Al Ahly," he added.

"Sundowns have done very well despite juggling between a congested league season and travelling around the continent for the Champions League," he explained.

McCarthy, who represented South Africa at the 2000 Olympic Games in Australia, backed the 2016 Champions League winners to win the two trophies on offer this season.

"Coach Pitso wants the second star on that Sundowns jersey and I think they can go all the way and win the competition," McCarthy predicted.

"They can do it. Looking at the PSL title (race), I definitely believe they will defend their trophy," the retired defender concluded.

Sundowns are currently top the league standings - two points ahead of second-placed Bidvest Wits with a game in hand.

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