Cape Town City FC recorded a 3-1 friendly victory over Sudan's Al Hilal SC in a pre-season test. The match saw goals from Mogamat May, Darwin Gonzalez, and Thabo Nodada for the South African side.
Cape Town City currently sit seventh in the First Division standings with four points from three matches. Their record shows one win, one draw, and one loss, leaving them five points behind the early leaders, Magesi. The team has scored four goals and conceded four so far this season.
Mogamat May, Darwin Gonzalez, and Thabo Nodada all found the net for Cape Town City in the win. The friendly was played at the Athlone Stadium as part of Al Hilal's preparations for continental competition. The Sudanese side's consolation goal came from new signing Abdul Ajagun, a player who joined them directly from Cape Town City just days before the match.
Ajagun had been with the South African club since February 2021. His move to Al Hilal represents a significant squad change for Eric Tinkler's team as they build towards their next league fixture. Fans can review the full squad list on our dedicated squad page.
Al Hilal have been camped in South Africa since late December 2021. The friendly against Cape Town City was part of their build-up for a CAF Champions League group stage match against Mamelodi Sundowns scheduled for February 11th, 2022. Their group also includes Al Merreikh and Al Ahly.
The match result and the Champions League schedule refer to the 2021/2022 season. This provides a historical benchmark for Cape Town City's performance against a team competing at the continental level.
The friendly win comes as Cape Town City handles the early phase of the domestic league. Their form reads win, draw, loss from the opening three games. Scoring four and conceding four indicates a balanced but inconsistent start to the campaign.
Securing a victory against an international opponent, even in a friendly, can provide a morale boost. The team will look to convert that positive feeling into more consistent results in the league. The current standings show the tight nature of the early title race.
The immediate focus returns to the First Division, where the club aims to close the five-point gap to the top. Integrating any new players and building on the defensive and offensive work shown in patches will be key. Every point is vital as the season develops.
The next match presents an opportunity to improve their league position and build momentum.
