Sundowns held by Al-Hilal in CAF Champions League, but remain top of group

Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a 1-1 draw by Al-Hilal in their CAF Champions League Group B encounter in Sudan on Saturday.

Khuliso Mudau opened the scoring at the Al-Hilal Stadium after 67 minutes but the home team fired back with a 72nd-minute equaliser from Mohamed Abdelrahman.

It could have ended in defeat for the Brazilians but Ather El Tahir had a 92nd minute penalty saved.

The Brazilians are held to a draw after an end-to-end encounter in Sudan but remain top of group B and unbeaten!Al Hilal (71' Abdelrahman) 1???1?? Mamelodi Sundowns (66' Mudau)#Sundowns #DownsLive #TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/EZ3sAzILBc

Both sides were full of energy at the start of the tie but it was Sundowns with the first real opportunity as Teboho Mokoena fired just past the Al Hilal goal after seven minutes.

The hosts were also eager to make an early impact and Makabi Lilepo saw his long-range shot well kept out by Ronwen Williams.

Fabrice Ngoma then saw his header plucked out of the air after connecting to a Ibrahim Imoro cross.

Cassius Mailula's 13th minute shot was blocked, while Lilepo was again denied by Williams as the action swung from end to end.

Lilepo continued to be a threat for the home team, alongside Ibrahim Imoro, who was unlucky not to make more of his effort on 28 minutes, while the half ended with Mudau firing just off target and Teboho Mokoena trying his luck with a couple of late half chances.

Sundowns midfielder Marcelo Allende tried to make a fast start to the second half but failed to beat Ali Abdallah Abu-Eshrein in the Al-Hilal goal.

Themba Zwane then fired wide with the 'keeper stranded, as Mudau was off target from a tight angle following some neat inter-passing with Zwane.

Sundowns were the more dominant attacking