CAF Champions League: Al Hilal coach Laurentiu Reghecampf happy with away draw against Mamelodi Sundowns
Al Hilal coach Laurentiu Reghecampf has expressed satisfaction with his outfit stalemate against Mamelodi Sundowns in the third round of the CAF Champions League group stage.
The match, held at Loftus Versveld in South Africa ended in a 2-2 draw, with both teams securing a point each from the crucial game.
Speaking after the match, Reghecampf said Sundowns played exactly the way his team had anticipated. “We expected this kind of game. We agreed to give them possession because they are very good with the ball, but not dangerous at any moment,” he explained.
Reflecting on the flow of the match, the Al Hilal boss added, “We scored a goal, then conceded the first goal too easily. Sundowns came back to score their second, but I’m happy with the result because we managed to score. For more than 15 minutes, we played with 10 men—it wasn’t easy. Sundowns at home are strong. They try to keep the ball, maintain possession, and exploit spaces between our players.”
Despite the challenges, Reghecampf felt his team performed well and emphasized the importance of the upcoming encounter. “We have one week to prepare for the next game, and I’m sure you will see a different team in Rwanda. At home, like we did against MCA [Algers], we’re going to press, attack, and do everything to win the game,” he said.
Both Al Hilal and Sundowns are currently level on five points at the top of Group C, but Al Hilal finished the Pretoria match with just 10 men. Reghecampf issued a clear warning ahead of the return fixture, stressing that his side will be aiming for nothing less than three points. “When we host Sundowns, we will take no prisoners. Our team will be fully committed to getting the victory,” he declared.
