Sudan’s Al Hilal Gear Up for Mamelodi Sundowns Clash, Masandawana Wary of the Aerial Threat They Face

• Sudanese champions Al Hilal will take on South Africa's champions Mamelodi Sundowns at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium this evening, Friday, 11 February
• A Hilal are record-breaking winners of the Sudan Premier League but they are yet to win the CAF Champions League
• Mamelodi Sundowns are not taking A Hilal and are aware of the threat that the Sudanese tea pose in the air

The highly anticipated Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League gets underway later today when Sudan's Al Hilal Omdurman takes on South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Sudanese champions are also known as Al Hilal Educational Club, or simply Al Hilal.

The current Sudanese champions have won the Sudan Premier League a record 28 times and the Sudan Cup seven times. Unlike their opponents, Mamelodi Sundowns, they have never won the CAF Champions League but did finish as runners-up in 1987 and 1992.

Al Hilal are also no strangers to South African teams, having signed two players from South Africa recently. Nigeria’s Abdul Ajagun left Cape Town City for Al Hilal, Soccer Laduma reported, while the club also recently signed Gerald Phiri Junior from Baroka FC.

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Al Hilal’s Vice President last week met with Cape Town City’s President to discuss ways that the two teams could cooperate and share knowledge.

Mamelodi Sundowns are wary of the threat Al Hilal pose

Mamelodi Sundowns are not taking Al Hilal lightly. Speaking ahead of the game, co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi, said they were expecting a tough aerial battle from the Sudanese team, TimesLIVE reported.

“We know we are playing against a team that is very robust and aerially very strong with tall centre-backs, tall midfielders, and a tall number 10,” he said.

Mamelodi Sundowns will host Al Hilal at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Friday, 11 February. Kick-Off is at 17:55 South African time. Both teams will be looking to get off to a great start in Group A, which also features Sudan’s Al Merrikh and defending champions, Al Ahly.

Rough CAF Champions League start for Mamelodi Sundowns as club is forced to relocate venue to the North West

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Mamelodi Sundowns will not have home comforts to draw upon when they get their 2022 CAF Champions League campaign started on Friday night against Al Hilal, Sports Brief earlier reported.

The club was forced to relocate from Tshwane to Rustenburg's Royal Bafokeng Stadium for their opening match against Sudanese team Al-Hilal. The match could have either taken place at the usual venues like Loftus Versfeld in Tshwane or the Lucas "Masterpieces" Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.

According to a report by Soccer Laduma, CAF decided that the possible venues the Brazilians had put forth did not meet its criteria. According to TimesLIVE, the continental governing body has banned most stadiums on the continent from hosting continental club and international matches as they roll out new venue compliance regulations.