Sudanese giants Al-Hilal have moved to the summit of Group C after beating Sundowns 2-1 in Kigali this evening.
Miguel Cardoso’s side saw plenty of the ball in the opening stages, knocking it around with confidence and trying to set the tempo.
Al-Hilal weren’t moved. Every time they got possession, they looked sharp and direct, even if both teams initially struggled to create anything clear-cut in the final third.
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: AL-HILAL 2-1 MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
Sundowns’ first real opening came around the 15-minute mark. Miguel Reisinho was alive to danger high up the pitch, winning possession and instantly releasing Tahsreeq Matthews. The winger burst through on goal, but Al-Hilal goalkeeper Farid Ouedraogo stood tall to deny him at close range.
At the other end, the Sudanese giants began to ask questions. Mohamed Abdelrahman and Abdel Raouf both tried their luck from distance, forcing Denis Onyango into routine saves as Al-Hilal found it difficult to play their way cleanly into the box.
The momentum shifted late in the half. Al-Hilal started to camp in Sundowns’ territory, pushing forward with intent, and their pressure paid off deep into stoppage time. Onyango was judged to have fouled Abdel Raouf in the area, and Abdelrahman stepped up to calmly send the keeper the wrong way, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead at the break.
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SECOND HALF
Al-Hilal picked up where they left off after the restart and struck early. Just four minutes into the second half, Jean Claude Girumugisha found space outside the box and curled a low effort into the corner, giving Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango no chance.
Cardoso reacted quickly, first throwing on Arthur Sales at the break, then making a double change on 55 minutes as Divine Lunga and Peter Shalulile replaced Thato Sibiya and Tahsreeq Matthews.
The changes sparked life into Sundowns. Sales pulled one back soon after, pouncing on a loose ball and driving into the area before beating Farid Ouedraogo with a crisp finish — his second goal against Al-Hilal in as many Champions League matches.
Sundowns pushed hard for an equaliser, but it wasn’t to be. Shalulile went closest late on after meeting Sales’ low cross, only to be denied from close range as Al-Hilal held their nerve to secure the win and move above Sundowns at the top of Group C.
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