South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns visit Sudan’s Al Hilal Omdurman at Amahoro Stadium on Friday, January 30, as both sides battle for control of CAF Champions League Group C. Kick-off is set for 9pm CAT. Al Hilal continue to host their home matches in Kigali due to the ongoing civil war in Sudan, making Rwanda’s capital the stage for another crucial continental encounter. Last season’s runners-up, Sundowns, come into the match looking to build on a valuable 2-2 draw against the same opponents at Loftus Versfeld last Friday. Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso believes the point gained in Pretoria could prove important ahead of the return fixture. “We feel good here in Kigali. Rwanda is a very interesting country and I would like to come back and spend more time here,” Cardoso said. “Our objective is clear—we want to win the match and take control of the group.” “Every match is important. We want to play with intensity, the right mindset and character. We made two mistakes in the previous game and conceded goals we shouldn’t have, but we are here to correct those errors and take the chances we create,” he added. Reflecting on facing Al Hilal for the third time in a short period, Cardoso said the encounters have offered valuable lessons. “They are a very intense team. We must learn from our mistakes and build on the performance we showed in our midweek win. Small details will be key, and we have addressed them with the players.” On the other side, Al Hilal head coach Laurențiu Reghecampf insists his side is fully prepared to give everything in front of their Kigali-based supporters. “We have prepared the team well and we are ready for the challenge against Mamelodi Sundowns,” Reghecampf said. “I trust my players and believe they can deliver a strong performance.” With three of six group-stage matches played, Sundowns and Al Hilal are level on five points, with the South Africans top on goal difference. DR Congo’s Saint-Éloi Lupopo sit third on four points, while MC Alger trail on one. “This is a must-win match for us because we want to finish top of the group,” Reghecampf added. “Even though we are playing in Kigali, we believe our players can secure all three points.” Team news Sundowns could again be without first-choice goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who was left out of the matchday squad for their 2-0 Betway Premiership win over Sekhukhune in midweek. Veteran Denis Onyango, who captained the side in that match, is expected to retain his place if Williams remains unavailable. Whoever starts in goal is also likely to wear the captain’s armband. Al Hilal will be without Emmanuel Flomo, who is suspended following his red card in the first-leg encounter in Pretoria. Form guide Mamelodi Sundowns have lost just one match in regulation time across all competitions this season—a 1-0 Betway Premiership defeat to Golden Arrows—highlighting their consistency. Al Hilal, meanwhile, sit top of the Rwanda Premier League, boasting an impressive 39 goals in 15 matches, underlining their attacking threat ahead of Friday’s showdown.
