CAF Champions League Group C Heats Up on Matchday 4

KIGALI (Azat TV) – Group C of the CAF Champions League sees crucial Matchday 4 fixtures today, January 30, 2026, with South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns traveling to Kigali, Rwanda, to face Sudan’s Al-Hilal, while Algeria’s MC Alger hosts DR Congo’s Saint-Éloi Lupopo. These matches are pivotal for determining control of the tightly contested group, where Sundowns and Al-Hilal currently sit level on points at the top, and MC Alger desperately seeks to revive its campaign from the bottom.

Sundowns Seek Control in Kigali CAF Champions League Clash

Mamelodi Sundowns, last season’s runners-up, are set to face Al-Hilal at Stade Amahoro in Kigali, Rwanda, at 21:00 CAT (19:00 GMT). This neutral venue serves as Al-Hilal’s home ground due to the ongoing civil war in Sudan. The fixture is a repeat of last Friday’s encounter at Loftus Versfeld, which ended in a 2-2 draw, denying Sundowns an outright lead in the group standings, as reported by ESPN Africa.

Following that draw, fan frustrations reportedly spilled over, with sporting director Flemming Berg subjected to a liquid being thrown at him by a supporter. Mamelodi Sundowns responded with a strong statement condemning the ‘ill-disciplined’ behavior. The team, however, bounced back midweek with a 2-0 Betway Premiership win over Sekhukhune United, securing both goals in stoppage time.

A significant point of interest for Sundowns will be the goalkeeping position. Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams was notably absent from the midweek squad, with the reason for his omission unconfirmed after a below-par performance against Al-Hilal last Friday. Denis Onyango, who deputized and captained the team in midweek, is expected to start between the sticks. For Al-Hilal, Emmanuel Flomo will be unavailable due to suspension after receiving a red card in the previous match.

MC Alger Hosts Lupopo in Critical Group C Encounter

In another vital Group C fixture, MC Alger will host FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo this evening at 19:00 GMT. This match is crucial for both sides, but particularly for the Algerian club, which currently languishes at the bottom of the group with just one point from three matches (one draw, two losses). A win is imperative for MC Alger to keep their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages alive, according to Foot-Africa.

Saint-Éloi Lupopo, sitting third in the group with four points from one win, one draw, and one defeat, holds a more favorable position. They are just one point behind the co-leaders, Mamelodi Sundowns and Al-Hilal. The Congolese side secured a victory in the first leg against MC Alger, clinching the match with a penalty converted in stoppage time, which adds an extra layer of tension to today’s rematch.

CAF Champions League Group C: The Stakes

With three of the six matchdays now complete, Group C remains incredibly tight. Mamelodi Sundowns and Al-Hilal are level at the top with five points each, with Sundowns holding a slight edge on goal difference. Saint-Éloi Lupopo is right behind them with four points, making any result in today’s matches potentially game-changing for the top three. MC Alger, with only one point, faces an uphill battle but could still ignite their campaign with a decisive victory at home.

Both the Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Al-Hilal match and the MC Alger vs. Lupopo game are scheduled for live broadcast. The Sundowns fixture will be available on SuperSport’s DSTV channel 209, while the MC Alger match will be aired by beIN Connect MENA HD, beIN Sports MENA 8 HD, SuperSport Variety 4 HD, and Azam Sports Channel.

The simultaneous staging of these two pivotal CAF Champions League Group C encounters underscores the intense competition for progression, highlighting how every point and every result on Matchday 4 could drastically alter the trajectory of the teams involved.