Sundowns Suffer Damaging Loss Against Hilal

Mamelodi Sundowns suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat in their CAF Champions League group stage match against the Sudanese side Al Hilal at Amahoro Stadium in Rwanda on Friday evening.

This was a second leg match between these two sides, following a 2-2 draw last week at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.

Overall, this was also the eighth meeting between Sundowns and Hilal in the Champions League, with all previous encounters taking place in the group stage, as they’re yet to face each other in the knockout stage.

The Brazilians started this game on a high note, creating numerous scoring opportunities in the first 20 minutes.

Two notable chances came from Tashreeq Matthews, with his first attempt hitting the crossbar and the second being blocked by a defender.

Matthews got another opportunity in the 25th minute and scored a great goal with his right-footed shot in the 18-yard box, assisted by Nuno Santos, but unfortunately, the assistant referee ruled it offside, and the goal was disallowed.

Al Hilal almost got the opening goal in the 40th minute through captain Mohammed Yousif’s right-footed attempt in the 18-yard area, but his shot went wide.

Just two minutes after that chance, Hilal got two more opportunities, but Sundowns’ goalkeeper Denis Onyango made two great saves to keep the game at 0-0.

On the stroke of half-time, Hilal opened the scoring with a penalty shot through their captain, Yousif, after Onyango fouled Abdelrazig Taha inside the 18-yard area box, and the first half ended with Hilal leading 1-0.

In the second half, both Sundowns and Hilal kicked off with intensity, exchanging chances in the first 20 minutes, with each team finding the back of the net once.

The home side struck in the 50th minute, with Jean-Claude Girumugisha’s powerful right-footed shot from outside the box giving them a 2-0 lead.

However, Sundowns responded swiftly, with Arthur Sales’ right-footed shot from inside the box, assisted by Peter Shalulile, pulling one back in the 60th minute.

In the 75th minute, Sundowns pushed for an equaliser, but Shalulile’s right-footed attempt in the six-yard area was foiled by goalkeeper Soufiane Ouedraogo.

The Brazilians threw everything at Hilal in the dying minutes, but despite numerous chances, they couldn’t find the equaliser, and the game ended 2-1 in favour of the home side.

The loss sees Sundowns drop to second place in their group with five points, while Hilal tops the table with eight points.

However, Sundowns’ fate is not sealed, as they can drop to third on Sunday if Saint Eloi Lupopo can upset Rulani Mokwena’s MC Alger.

Sundowns’ next game is an away trip to face Lupopo, while Hilal travel to Algeria to take on winless MC Alger on Friday next week.