Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi is confident his side can turn their CAF Champions League quarter-final around against Al Ahly after the first-leg defeat in Cairo.
Ahly hold a two-goal advantage after goals in each half from Taher Mohamed and Salah Mohsen handed former Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane the win in the first time he's faced the club since his shock resignation in September 2020.
Sundowns held the bulk of the possession but Ahly proved more ruthless while Mohsen profited from a late Denis Onyango error to slot home into an empty net.
"Like I expected it was always going to be a tactical game, we played very well and were unfortunate not to score, I've never seen a team coming to Egypt dominating Al Ahly for possession," Mngqithi said.
"To see Al Ahly playing a counter-attacking game at home was interesting for me but this was the first half, the second half is in Johannesburg.
"We started the game very well, kept the ball very well and played very good in the half-spaced which forced them on the back foot but we didn't take our chances."
Scroll through the gallery below to see more images of the clash at Al-Salam Stadium
Mngqithi remained adamant that their performance didn't warrant the result and feels things will be rectified in the return leg at home on Saturday.
"We played better in the second half but didn't create as many chances and [Mohamed] El Shenaway also came to the party and saved them from a very good corner kick, if we got that goal it would have opened the game up," he explained.
"I still have a lot of respect for Al Ahly and they have so many intelligent players, [Mohamed] Sherif was very instrumental up top, Afsha also showed his quality in the half-spaces and I think Mohamed was very clinical with his finish, it was a well-taken goal but I still believe we were the better team football-wise but we lost the match.
"I'm very happy with the way they performed and on the percentage of what's likely to happen at home, I'll give Sundowns 60 percent [chance of winning] and Ahly 40 [percent]."
The Brazilians host the African champions in Tshwane on 22 May at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium (15h00).