Mamelodi Sundowns kicked off their Caf Champions League campaign with a tight 1-0 win over Al Hilal in their group-stage opener at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Friday night.

The Brazilians made five changes to the team that beat Chippa United on Monday as shotstopper Denis Onyango, Lyle Lakay, Gaston Sirino, Khuliso Mudau and Pavol Safranko all came in.

The home side got off to the perfect start as Themba Zwane latched on to a poor back pass to go through on goal and calmly find the bottom corner, giving his side the lead with just eight minutes gone.

Downs were then dealt a blow as Gaston Sirino was stretchered off after a heavy arial challenge. His replacement, Thapelo Morena, nearly made an instant impact as he was slipped through on goal by Zwane but Saeed Ahmed came rushing back to block Morena’s goal-bound effort.

Downs struggled to create clear-cut chances in the remainder of the  first half but still looked a threat on the counter.

The away side were looking to get back into the game in the second half, but both sides struggled for chances with Lyle Lakay’s long-range free kick the only effort on goal in the opening 20 minutes of the second stanza.

The Sudanese side almost got back into the game from a set piece, but Zwane was well positioned to head the ball off the line.

The visitors continued to test the Sundowns defence and thought they had the equaliser with the ball in the back of the net in the closing stages, but the referee had already blown his whistle for a foul on Onyango in the buildup.

New Downs signing Erwin Saavedra came on for his debut in the last couple of minutes and showed glimpses of his potential as the Brazilians managed to hold on for the three points and get their group-stage journey up and running.