Former Al Ahly midfielder Phakamani Mahlambi has delivered a scathing critique of his former club following their CAF Champions League semi-final defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns.

Mahlambi believes a lack of player commitment and the tactical approach of former coach Marcell Koller were the primary reasons for the Egyptian giants’ elimination.

Al Ahly, the two-time defending Champions League winners, were eliminated by Sundowns on the away goals rule after the second leg of their semi-final ended in a draw at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday.

Sundowns will now face another Egyptian side, Pyramids, who overcame Orlando Pirates 3-2 on aggregate to reach the two-legged final scheduled for next month.

In the aftermath of Ahly’s semi-final exit, the club has parted ways with coach Koller. He had led them to their two previous Champions League triumphs after succeeding Pitso Mosimane, the former Sundowns and Bafana Bafana coach.

Mosimane was previously dismissed by the Egyptian giants after they lost the 2022 Champions League final to Wydad Casablanca of Morocco.

“I watched the match, and it was very exciting from both teams. Despite Al Ahly scoring early, Sundowns’ superiority was evident, and they controlled the midfield,” Mahlambi, who won the Egyptian Premier League with Ahly in the 2017/18 season, stated via Egyptian media.

“The first-leg result was misleading. While Al Ahly’s performance wasn’t bad, Sundowns were never a weak opponent.

“In the second leg, despite the home crowd and playing in Cairo, the Sundowns players are adept at playing under pressure and showed no fear, as everyone witnessed.

“Al Ahly’s players and their coach must take responsibility. When you fail to win and qualify in your own stadium, everyone is at fault. In my opinion, Sundowns’ advancement was deserved.

“What Ahly lacked was the commitment of its players to their roles. There was no real threat to Sundowns’ defense apart from the early goal. There were no effective movements, and the Sundowns players faced no significant pressure, allowing them to play comfortably.”

Mahlambi, 27, who has been without a club since his loan spell at Chippa United from Sundowns ended in the 2021/22 season, believes Sundowns will defeat Pyramids and lift the African Champions League trophy for the second time in their history.

“I expect Sundowns to win the title, possibly even with a 2-0 victory in South Africa. They are a different team compared to Orlando Pirates and will decide the title in the first leg at home,” said Mahlambi, who won two league titles with Sundowns and scored in their famous 5-0 thrashing of Al Ahly in the 2019 group stages.

“If Sundowns could eliminate Al Ahly, they can beat any other Egyptian team, regardless of Pyramids’ good performances against Orlando Pirates.”

The two-legged Champions League final is scheduled to begin on 24 May, with Sundowns hosting the first leg, and the second leg taking place in Egypt on 1 June.