Mamelodi Sundowns vs Al-Hilal: Preview, team news, time and where to watch

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Mamelodi Sundowns vs Al-Hilal: Preview, team news, time and where to watch

Mamelodi Sundowns return to continental duty on Friday when they host Sudanese giants Al-Hilal in the CAF Champions League, looking to secure maximum points at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

Sundowns started 2026 in winning ways following their 2-0 victory over Orbit College in the PSL on Monday and will be looking to add the Sudanese champions to their list of casualties.

It will not be a walk in the park, however, for Sundowns as their next opponents have been in scintillating form and come into this match with a win and draw in the Champions League group stage, just like the Brazilians.

Ronwen Williams in training with Mamelodi Sundowns.

Formidable form from both teams

Sundowns take an eight-match unbeaten record into this contest, having won five and drawn three over that period.

That run includes a 3-1 home win over DR Congo’s St Eloi Lupopo and a goalless draw against Rulani Mokwena’s MC Alger of Algeria in their opening Champions League group stage games in November.

The draw against MC Alger should have left coach Miguel Cardoso with much to ponder as his side escaped with a point when they should have lost given the number of chances the Algerian champions missed.

Al Hilal playig against Mamelodi Sundowns

Meanwhile, Al-Hilal come into the match with an even formidable record of eight straight league wins, which includes five clean sheets in a row, and nine unbeaten, having dominated the Rwandan league where they are playing owing to the war back home in Sudan.

They also beat MC Alger 2-1 before a 1-1 draw with Lupopo in the Champions League and that form means Sundowns have their work cut out.

Who has a better head-to-head record?

Friday’s match will be the ninth meeting between Sundowns and Al-Hilal and in their previous eight, the South African giants have a superior record.

Al Hilal in training.

Sundowns have won five, with Al-Hilal managing just one, while two matches ended in draws, giving Cardoso’s team confidence of extending their dominance.  

The two teams last met at the group stage in February and March 2023, Sundowns winning 1-0 at home before a 1-1 draw away, while a year earlier, they had won 1-0 at home before securing a 4-2 triumph on the road.

Sundowns and Al-Hilal team news

Sundowns do not have fresh injury concerns with only long-term absentee Mothobi Mvala set to miss as well as new signing Monnapule Saleng, who arrived carrying an injury, while Keano Cupido will also be out as he recovers from a quad strain.

Khuliso Mudau in training for Mamelodi Sundowns.

Cardoso left most of his big hitters on the bench against Orbit College and so Aubrey Modiba, Khuliso Mudau, Teboho Mokoena, Marcelo Allende, Iqraam Rayners, Nuno Santos, Miguel Reisinho are set to be back from the start while new signing Brayan Leon, who scored on his debut, will likely start from the bench again.

Santos has been in great form in the Champions League so far, scoring three goals and providing two assists in four matches and will hope to drive his team to glory on Friday night.

For Al-Hilal, Sundowns will have to watch Liberian Emmanuel Flomo, who has 10 goals in the league, as well as Malian Adama Coulibaly, who has netted eight times in the Rwandan top flight so far.

Time and where to watch

The match will kick off at 20:00 on Friday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium and will be live on both SuperSport TV (Channel 209) and SABC2. Fans can also live stream via Stream Live on http://sabc-plus.com.

Mamelodi Sundowns predicted lineup

Williams; Mudau, Modiba, Kekana, Ndamane; Mokoena, Allende, Santos, Reisinho, Sales, Rayners

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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