Al Hilal will host Mamelodi Sundowns in a pivotal CAF Champions League Group C clash on Friday evening at Stade Amahoro in Kigali, with top spot firmly up for grabs.
The Sudanese giants continue to stage their home fixtures in Rwanda due to ongoing civil unrest back home and will be eager to seize control of the group after a dramatic 2–2 draw in Pretoria last week.
Despite playing a large portion of that match with ten men, Al Hilal showed tremendous resilience to come away with a point at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium. The result leaves both sides level on five points after three matches, separated only by goal difference, with Sundowns narrowly ahead.
Group C context
Sundowns opened their campaign with a commanding 3–1 victory over St. Eloi Lupopo, before being held to a goalless draw by MC Alger. Al Hilal, meanwhile, edged MC Alger 2–1 and followed that up with a 1–1 draw in Congo.
With the group delicately poised, three points here could prove decisive in the race for first place and a more favourable quarterfinal draw.
What time does Al Hilal vs Mamelodi Sundowns start?
Kick-off: 10:00 PM EAT
Team news
Al Hilal
Emmanuel Flomo is suspended after being sent off shortly after coming on in the first leg.
Nigerian striker Sunday Odetunji is expected to step in as his replacement.
Salaheildin Alhassan is a doubt after limping off last week and will be assessed closer to kick-off.
Otherwise, minimal changes are expected from the side that impressed in Pretoria.
Mamelodi Sundowns
Goalscorers Teboho Mokoena and Arthur Sales will again be central to Sundowns’ attacking plans.
Head coach Miguel Cardoso is likely to retain faith in a largely unchanged XI as the Brazilians chase a crucial away result.
Head-to-head & current form
Sundowns arrive in Kigali in buoyant mood after late goals from Nuno Santos and Brayan León secured a 2–0 league win away at Sekhukhune United, extending their unbeaten run to 10 matches across all competitions.
Al Hilal, meanwhile, have had a full week to recover and prepare, and they too are unbeaten in their last 10 outings, underlining just how evenly matched this contest is.
Recent form:
Al Hilal: DWWWW
Mamelodi Sundowns: WDWDD
Recent meetings:
Sundowns 2–2 Al Hilal (Jan 22, 2026)
Al Hilal 1–1 Sundowns (Mar 18, 2023)
Sundowns 1–0 Al Hilal (Feb 11, 2023)
Al Hilal 2–4 Sundowns (Mar 19, 2022)
Sundowns 1–0 Al Hilal (Feb 11, 2022)