On Friday, Mamelodi Sundowns secured a 1-0 victory over Al Hilal in their opening CAF Champions League group stage match. It was the third consecutive season that Sundowns have won their opening match in the group stages, and Soccer Laduma takes a look back at how the DStv Premiership holders have performed in their first round robin matches since 2016.
Rulani Mokwena’s men edged Al Hilal 1-0 at Loftus, as Cassius Mailula scored his first ever group stage goal to get his side off to a solid start in Group B. Sundowns have only been beaten once in their opening group stage match since 2016, when they last won 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
In 2016, on their way to lifting the title, the Tshwane giants beat Algerian side ES Setif 2-0 away from home, a big confidence booster as they went on to becoming African champions. The victory later meant nothing as Setif were disqualified from the competition. In 2017, Sundowns were held to a goalless draw by Ethiopian side Saint George in their opening group stage match played at Lucas Moripe Stadium. The Tshwane giants went on to finish second in Group C behind Tunisian giants Esperance.
The 2018 edition of the group stages saw Sundowns being held yet again to a draw in their opening group stage match, this time by Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca. The sides played out to a 1-1 draw in Atteridgeville, as the visitors cancelled out Sibusiso Vilakazi’s third minute opener.
When the Champions League calendar was changed to follow the August to May season, Sundowns took on Nigerian side Lobi Stars in the 2018/19 group stage opener. Lobi hosted the clash and won it 2-1, but Sundowns were able to recover to qualify for the knockout stages.
In 2019/20, Sundowns returned to winning ways in the opening group stage clash, cruising to a 3-0 victory over Angolan side Petro de Luanda, as Mauricio Affonso, Motjeka Madisha and Sphelele Mkhulise got their names on the scoresheet. Sundowns finished top of the standings that season, five points ahead of second-placed Wydad.
The following campaign, 2020/21, Sundowns beat Al Hilal 2-0, thanks to goals from Mosa Lebusa and Kermit Erasmus in Tshwane. The Chloorkop based side beat the same Hilal side in 2021/22, winning 1-0 at Royal Bafokeng Stadium, courtesy of a Themba Zwane goal.
Mamelodi Sundowns have made a habit of winning their opening group stage matches in the CAF Champions League since 2016, with their only defeat coming in the 2018/19 season. With another victory over Al Hilal in their 2021/22 opener, the DStv Premiership holders will be hoping to replicate their success of 2016 and lift the trophy for a second time.
