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.

🎞️ Match Highlights: Al Hilal SC take it 2-1 with a penalty from Abdelrahman and a strike from Jean Claude. Arthur Sales scores for Mamelodi Sundowns. #TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/H1WAoPjemA

— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) January 30, 2026

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.

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.

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.

Momentum carries Hilal past group favourites

Fresh from a surprising 2–2 draw in South Africa last weekend, Al Hilal carried that confidence and momentum into the return fixture. Under the guidance of Romanian coach Laurențiu Reghecampf, the Sudanese champions executed a well-drilled game plan that neutralised Sundowns’ possession-based style for large stretches of the match.

While Sundowns dominated the ball early on, clear chances were scarce, as Hilal’s compact defensive shape and aggressive midfield pressing disrupted their rhythm.

Penalty breakthrough before the break

The opening goal arrived in dramatic fashion deep into first-half stoppage time. Malian winger Adama Coulibaly burst in behind the Sundowns defence down the right flank and poked the ball past veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango before being clipped inside the area by the Ugandan international.

The referee pointed immediately to the spot, and Hilal captain Mohamed Abdelrahman stepped up with trademark composure to convert the penalty, sending Onyango the wrong way and giving the Sudanese side a crucial psychological advantage heading into the interval.

Girumugisha strikes with quality

Al Hilal wasted no time after the restart and doubled their lead inside five minutes of the second half. Midfielder Walieldin Khidir found Jean Claude Girumugisha in space outside the penalty area, and the Burundian winger unleashed a powerful low drive.

Despite getting a fingertip to the ball, Onyango was unable to keep it out, as the shot nestled into the corner of the net. Girumugisha’s strike proved decisive, showcasing both his confidence and technical ability on the continental stage.

CAF Champions League Group C Table