Mamelodi Sundowns FC ended their opening preseason outing with a 2-0 defeat to Al-Hilal at Thermenstadion Stegersbach in Austria on July 24, 2026.
What happened in the match?
Al-Hilal dominated the friendly from the start, with Malcom scoring twice to seal a comfortable win. The Saudi side controlled the game, limiting Sundowns to minimal attacking returns. The final whistle brought an end to a one-sided contest that saw Sundowns unable to test the home side’s goalkeeper.
The first goal arrived in the 63rd minute, when Malcom broke through to slot past the Sundowns keeper. That doubled the lead late in the game, leaving Sundowns chasing shadows in the second half. The South African champions managed just one shot on target across 90 minutes.
Why it matters for Mamelodi Sundowns FC
This result highlights work needed before the Betway Premiership campaign kicks off. Sundowns, fresh from another domestic double, will use the loss to sharpen their preseason focus. The lack of attacking rhythm suggests squad adjustments may be on the cards ahead of the league opener.
Manager Rulani Mokwena will dissect the performance, particularly the team’s inability to build from midfield. The friendly was a rare chance to test new recruits, but the display offered little reassurance. The trip to Austria was billed as preparation, yet ended with more questions than answers.
What comes next for Sundowns?
The squad returns to South Africa to finalize preparations for the new season. Friendly defeats are part of preseason, but Mokwena will demand sharper displays in training. Sundowns open their Betway Premiership campaign at home, and the coaching staff will aim to iron out issues before then.
The club’s social channels confirmed the outing, with the final score greeted by muted reaction from the traveling supporters. Sundowns will now turn their attention to domestic priorities, with the league title defense the priority come August.
