Mamelodi Sundowns opened their CAF Champions League campaign with a 1-0 win over Al Hilal Omdurman at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday. Rising star Cassius Mailula scored the only goal of the game, as the Brazilians got off to a winning start.
The hosts started the game brightly, with Mailula nearly finding the opener on 12 minutes. However, it was the South African side who opened the scoring in the 24th minute, with Mailula finishing off a well-worked move to bag his fourth goal in the competition.
First group game, first group win!
Mamelodi Sundowns (25′ Mailula) 1️⃣➖0️⃣ Al Hilal Sundowns DownsLive TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/5hJ0pG1yFe
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 11, 2023
Al Hilal nearly found an equaliser four minutes later, when Mohamed Yousif got between two Sundowns defenders in the box and headed wide from close range. Peter Shalulile should have doubled the home side’s lead before the break, but he fired straight at the Al-Hilal shot-stopper from eight yards.
Sundowns had a big chance to extend their lead eight minutes after the break as Khaliso Mudau picked out Shalulile, who saw his goal-bound flick cleared away in the box. Al Hilal shot-stopper Ali Abu Eshrein was called upon once again after keeping out a powerful strike from Teboho Mokoena, who went close with another effort from distance just before the hour mark.
The visitors were reduced to ten men with ten minutes to play when Altayeb Abdalla picked up his second yellow card for a handball, dashing Al Hilal’s hopes of grabbing an equaliser. Mamelodi Sundowns held on to secure the three points, and will now turn their attention to their second group stage match against Al Ahly on Wednesday.
