CAF Champions League: Al Hilal eject Sundowns from top spot in Group C

Sudanese club Al Hilal Omdurman are the new leaders in Group C following Friday’s 2-1 CAF Champions League victory over South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns at the Stade Amahoro in Kigali, Rwanda.

🏆 ℂ𝔸𝔽 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤 𝕃𝕖𝕒𝕘𝕦𝕖 🏆

⚽️ ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: The Blue Wave have doubled their lead!

𝐀𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐥 2⃣➖0⃣ 𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐝𝐢 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬

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Burundian winger Jean Claude Girumugisha’s powerful long range shot proved to be the difference as the hosts held off a late charge to secure a victory at their adopted home in the Rwandan capital. Captain Mohamed Abdelrahman previously struck first blood for the Sudanese champions with a penalty kick in first half stoppage time.

After surprising Friday’s opponents last weekend with a 2-2 draw in South Africa, coach Laurențiu Reghecampf’s men carried their momentum back home to edge the group favorites. Sundowns struggled to create chances in the first half before a late surge pushed Hilal’s noses in front.

Close to halftime, Malian winger Adama Coulibaly was played in behind the defense on the right wing and poked the ball past goalkeeper Denis Onyango before being tripped up by the Uganda national team legend. The referee pointed to the spot and experienced campaigner Abdelrahman made no mistake.

🏆 ℂ𝔸𝔽 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤 𝕃𝕖𝕒𝕘𝕦𝕖 🏆

⚽️ ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: The Blue Wave take the lead after converting from the penalty spot!

𝐀𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐥 1⃣➖0⃣ 𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐝𝐢 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬

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And the goal late in the first half was followed by the second inside five minutes in the second half. Receiving a pass from Walieldin Khidir, Girumugisha was given space and unleashed a low blast that touched the fingertips of Onyango on its way into the goal.

The visitors finally woke up in the final half hour. Quick thinking on a 61st minute throw-in caught the hosts’ defense sleeping and Peter Shalulile cleverly nodded the ball back to Brazilian forward Arthur Sales, whose finish pulled a goal back to increase the suspense.

🏆 ℂ𝔸𝔽 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤 𝕃𝕖𝕒𝕘𝕦𝕖 🏆

⚽️ ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: Arthur Sales has reduced the margin for Masandawana!

𝐀𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐥 2⃣➖1⃣ 𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐝𝐢 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬

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Substitute Shalulile continued to cause issues, getting on the end of a cross from Sales to draw a good kick save from Hilal goalkeeper Farid Ouédraogo in the 76th minute. That was as difficult as it got for the Burkinabé custodian, who celebrated a massive victory with his teammates following the full time whistle.

The Sudanese giants now lead the group by three points and also hold the superior head-to-head record over last season’s runners-up. They will travel to Algeria to face MC Alger for their next continental fixture next Friday.

Sundowns’ next Champions League match will be in DR Congo against FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo, who will be in action on Sunday away against MC Alger in the other Group C match from the fourth round. Lupopo only trail the South African club by a point for second place in the group.

CAF Champions League Group C Table