Mamelodi Sundowns were handed their first defeat of 2026 on Friday night as Al Hilal Omdurman secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory, leapfrogging the South African champions to claim the summit of CAF Champions League Group C. The match took place at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda, where the Sudanese team is currently based due to the ongoing conflict in the North African country.
After a frantic 2-2 draw in Pretoria just seven days ago, the stakes were clear. With both sides locked on five points, the winner would seize control of the group. Ultimately, it was the Blue Wave that crashed over the visitors in a cauldron-like atmosphere.
Sundowns dominated the early proceedings, dictating the tempo. However, for all their possession, the Brazilians struggled to find a clinical edge in the final third.
The game turned on its head just before the interval. Veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango, who was in goals with Ronwen Williams absent, mistimed a challenge on Abdelrazig Omer inside the area. The referee pointed to the spot without hesitation, and Al Hilal talisman Mohamed Abdelrahman coolly dispatched the penalty on the stroke of halftime.
AL HILAL DOUBLING DOWN
The second half began as a nightmare for Miguel Cardoso’s side. Before Sundowns could find their rhythm, Jean-Claude Girumugisha pounced on defensive hesitation to double the hosts’ advantage. Suddenly, Masandawana found themselves staring at a two-goal mountain to climb.
Sundowns did not go down without a fight. In the 60th minute, Arthur Sales ignited hopes of a comeback, ghosting into the box to pull one back and make it 2-1. The closing half-hour saw wave after wave of Sundowns attacks, but Al Hilal’s defensive block held firm against the mounting pressure.
Sundowns are still to host Rulani Mokwena’s MC Alger before travelling to DRC to face FC Lupopo.
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