A new “African” crisis erupted, on Wednesday, weeks before the end of the group stage in the African Champions League, as the Egyptian Al-Ahly position worsened, in the second group.
South African club Mamelodi Sundowns, the group leaders, issued a sharply worded statement regarding the team’s general coordinator, Khaled Ali.
What happened?
- Sundowns said in an official statement: “Mamelodi Sundowns learned of some statements made by Khaled Ali during a discussion on social media related to Al-Ahly and Al-Hilal, which may contradict the club’s ethics and rules.”
- “Sundowns views these statements and the alleged conduct in a very serious light and is launching an immediate investigation to uncover the facts.”
- “Khaled Ali has been instructed to return from Sudan, go to the club’s offices and undergo investigation.”
Sundowns is preparing to face the Sudanese Crescent, which is scheduled for next Saturday, in the fifth round of the group stage of the African Champions League.
What did Khaled Ali say?
- According to African news sources, and accounts of African sports journalists, Khaled Ali participated in a “space” on Twitter, including Al-Ahly fans.
- The space is a platform within Twitter, in which those who join the space participate by speaking via voice, regarding a specific issue.
- An audio recording of Khaled Ali’s participation in the “space” spread to Al-Ahly fans.
- He said in the space: “If he asked me personally, to help Al-Ahly analyze the way Al-Hilal played in Sudan, I would do that.”
- He added, “I have all the data (regarding Al-Hilal), and I can without any problem provide it to Al-Ahly before their last match once morest Al-Hilal.”
Sky News Arabia might not confirm that Khaled Ali personally made these statements, but a number of accounts that published the recording confirmed that he was the speaker.
Al-Ahly needs victory in the last match once morest Al-Hilal of Sudan, following weeks.
Al-Ahly’s chances of reaching the quarter-finals of the African Champions League were complicated, following losing “heavy” from South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, 5-2.
group ranking
1- Mamelodi Sundowns South African (10 points).
2- Al-Hilal Al-Sudanese (9 points).
3- Al-Ahly of Egypt (4 points).
4- Cameroonian cotton (without points).
Despite the difficulty of the task, it is still an opportunity Al-Ahly Qualification is a list, but the team needs “external help”, depending on the results of other teams.
How can Al-Ahly qualify?
- Victory in the two remaining matches once morest Cameroonian Cotton at home, and then once morest the Sudanese Crescent in Cairo.
- In the event that Al-Hilal is defeated by Sundowns in Omdurman and then by Al-Ahly in Cairo, the Egyptian team qualifies directly.
- In the event of a tie for Al-Hilal once morest Sundowns in Omdurman, Al-Ahly will have to defeat Al-Hilal 1-0 or by two goals in the last round, so the result of the victory 2-1 or 3-2 will mean that Al-Hilal qualified on the away goals difference during direct confrontations.
As for the event that Al-Hilal wins in its next match at home once morest Sundowns, this will mean Al-Ahly’s official exit.
remaining matches:
- March 17: Cotton – Al-Ahly.
- March 18: Crescent moon – Mamelodi Sundowns.
- April 1: Al-Ahly – Al-Hilal.
- April 1: Mamelodi Sundowns – Cotton.
