Sundowns suffer first loss in CAF Champions League to Al Hilal

by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath

image Sundowns suffer first loss in CAF Champions League to Al Hilal
Mamelodi Sundowns were moved off the top spot in Group C of the CAF Champions League on Friday night, when they suffered their first loss of the competition to Al Hilal. Masandawana are still expected to reach the knockout stage of the CAFCL, but the defeat has added to the criticism around their performances this season.

Masandawana slip from top spot of CAFCL Group C

Sudanese giants Al Hilal Omdurman handed Mamelodi Sundowns their first loss of the 2025-26 CAF Champions League, beating the South African PSL champions 2-1 at the Stade Amahoro in Kigali on Friday night. 

Sundowns started brightly and almost took an early lead through Tashreeq Matthews, who clattered the woodwork with a long-range shot. However, the Sudanese outfit soon began to take control of the match thereafter. 

Veteran shot-stopper Denis Onyango then brought down Abdelrazig Omer in the box on the stroke of halftime. Mohamed Abdelrahman stepped up and tucked the spot kick away to give the home side the advantage going into the break.

Miguel Cardoso attempted to shake things up in the second period by bringing on Arthur Sales for Miguel Reisinho, but things did not go according to plan, as the Soweto giants found themselves two goals down just five minutes later when Jean Claude Girumugisha capitalised on a misplaced pass from Marcelo Allende. 

Sales restored hope for Masandawana at the hour mark by pulling one back with a thumping strike after an exchange with Peter Shalulile. However, despite ending the match with a flurry of attacks, Downs were unable to find the equaliser and dropped to second in the standings, three points behind the Blue Waves.

Pressure mounts on Cardoso after Al Hilal defeat

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Having dominated South African football for over a decade and established themselves as one of the continent's best clubs, Mamelodi Sundowns’ performances this season have raised concerns, and pressure is starting to mount on head coach Miguel Cardoso.

Masandawana are on 32 points after 15 games in the PSL, just two points above Kaizer Chiefs and three ahead of Orlando Pirates, though the Bucs have two games in hand and have looked very impressive this season. 

Questions are being raised around whether Downs are growing complacent or if their recruitment and tactics are no longer good enough, as one point from their last two CAFCL matches is well below expectations. 

Many feel that the team’s defence has been central to their dip this term, with four centre-backs having been used in different partnerships this season, which has disrupted their rhythm, and that was evident in the loss in Kigali on Friday.