CAFCL: Sundowns settle for disappointing home draw with Al Hilal Omdurman

Despite a dominant performance, South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns were left stunned at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium after dropping points in a 2-2 CAF Champions League (CAFCL) draw with Sudan’s Al Hilal Omdurman.

Failure to capitalize on multiple opportunities allowed the Sudanese giants to claim a surprise point in Pretoria courtesy of two goals from Abdel Raouf. Brazilian forward Arthur Sales cancelled out Raouf’s opener but Teboho Mokoena’s splendid strike from distance in the second half did not stand as the winner after Raouf’s second goal equalized against the run of play.

It was a dominant start for the hosts, who camped out in the opposition half as they looked to secure top spot in Group C. However, in the 15th minute it was the Sudanese champions who surprisingly struck first.

Jean Claude Girumugisha embarked on a darting run down the left wing and his pass took a big deflection into the Sundowns penalty area, where Raouf produced an excellent first touch followed by a powerful shot past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

The response came quickly from the hosts, who leveled when Nuno Santos’ excellent pass over the top of the Hilal defense found the run of Sales who tapped his finish past goalkeeper Farid Ouédraogo.

Dominant in possession, it appeared that it would be only a matter of time before South Africa’s perennial champions would impose themselves. In the 64th minute, Mokoena got the home supporters out of their seats with a fantastic strike from distance that left Ouédraogo with no chance.

But Raouf popped up again to spoil the day for the hosts. After creating little to nothing going forward in the second half, a quick switch of play created space for winger Adama Coulibaly on the right flank. The Malian did just enough to touch the ball towards Raouf inside the penalty area, who produced a precise low strike past Williams.

Hilal substitute Emmanuel Flomo was sent off in the 85th minute after a hand to the face of Sundowns right back Khuliso Mudau. However, they failed to find an equalizer with Fawaaz Basadien’s strike from the left wing going off target in the final stages.

The two teams remain level at the top of Group C with five points each and will meet again next Friday at the Benina Martyrs Stadium in Benghazi, Libya. The other two teams in the group, Algerian champions MC Alger and Congolese club FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo, will meet on Sunday at the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.

CAF Champions League: Group C Table