Sundowns held as Group C race stays wide open

By Lonwabo Miso
24th January 2026

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso says the contest against Al Hilal unfolded largely as expected, with the visitors defending deep and looking to punish them on the counterattack.

Sundowns missed the chance to open a clear gap at the top of Group C in the CAF Champions League after being held to a 2–2 draw by Al Hilal at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night.

Despite the match producing several dramatic moments, including a late red card, Cardoso felt his side dictated proceedings for long periods but failed to translate their control into a decisive result.

Cardoso pointed to defensive breakdowns that exposed Sundowns to counter attacks, with both goals conceded coming at moments when his side appeared firmly in control.

Al Hilal remained disciplined at the back, relying on a compact defensive structure and set pieces, and capitalised on isolated mistakes to stay in the contest.

READ: CAF Champions League: Mamelodi Sundowns drop points at home against Al Hilal

"We suffered a goal in the moment where the game was completely controlled. I think the second half was even more controlled than the first."

Sundowns dominated possession with 78 percent of the ball but were wasteful in front of goal, allowing costly errors to undo their good work as they surrendered the lead on two occasions.

Those lapses enabled Al Hilal to secure a valuable away point, keeping Group C finely balanced ahead of the return fixture to be played in Rwanda next weekend.

Cardoso admitted the group remains wide open, stressing that sharper execution and better game management will be required on the road.

The result keeps Sundowns top of Group C on five points, level with Al Hilal but ahead on goal difference after three matches.

Elsewhere in the group, Saint-Éloi Lupopo host MC Alger on Sunday, with both teams still chasing their first win of the campaign.

Cardoso says Sundowns will approach the Rwanda fixture with focus and belief as they continue their push for qualification.

"As always, we approach every game to win, so we are going to Rwanda with the right strategy to win the game. It has nothing to do with the match that will be played at the other Stadium [Stade Frédéric Kibassa Maliba]."