Mamelodi Sundowns began their CAF Champions League group stage campaign with a 1-0 victory over Al-Hilal on Friday evening.
CAF Champions League
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 Al-Hilal
Date: 11 February 2022
Venue: Royal Bafokeng Stadium
The Brazilians made five changes from the win over Chippa United, as shot-stopper Denis Onyango, Lyle Lakay, Gaston Sirino, Khuliso Mudau and Pavol Safranko were recalled while Al-Hilal gave debuts to former Cape Town City midfielder Abdul Ajagun and fomer Baroka star Gerald Phiri Junior.
Sundowns had a perfect start after Themba Zwane profited from a poor back pass to go clear on goal and fire a low strike into the bottom corner in the eighth minute.
The hosts were then forced to make a change in the 25th minute after Sirino had a nosebleed from from an aerial challenge and stretchered off the pitch before being replaced by Thapelo Morena.
Morena had a big a chance to double the lead shortly after coming on when he was played through on goal from Zwane's defence-splitting pass but as he was about to shoot, Saeed Ahmed made a crucial block from behind.
The Blue Wave risked playing a high line in the closing phase of the first stanza, which gave Sundowns room to exploit on counter-attacks, particularly with the pace of Morena but they spent more time defending.
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Joao Motta's charges continued to pressurise the Brazilians early in the second stanza but they could not break down a compact defence while just before the hour-mark Lyle Lakay forced a save out of goalkeeper Ali Achrine with a dipping free-kick from range.
The game remained on the edge after that, with Sundowns slowly getting into the game but they were not finding chances and resisted making substitutions.
Al Hilal gained attacking momentum in the closing stages as Walieldin Khedr came close to snatching the equaliser nine minutes before time with a towering header that was headed away from goal by Zwane.
Ibrahim Mustapha had a good chance to level matters for the visitors in the dying minutes after a through ball by Ajagun at the near post but he dragged his low shot wide across goal.
Al Hilal had a goal disallowed in stoppages after Ahmed headed home a cross from a set-piece but the whistle had already sounded for a foul, as Sundowns held on to clinch maximum points in Group A.
Here's how they lined up:
Sundowns: D.Onyango, Coetzee, De Reuck, B. Onyango, Lakay, Jali, Mudau, Sirino, Zwane, Safranko, Shalulile.
Subs: Mweene, Lunga, Modiba, Mokoena, Morena, Ralani, Kutumela, Mvala, Saavedra.
