In a story of remarkable resilience, Sudanese football giants Al Hilal continue to defy immense challenges, securing a vital 1-1 draw away to Saint-Eloi Lupopo in the Democratic Republic of Congo to keep their CAF Champions League dreams alive.
Gritty Performance in Lubumbashi
The match in Lubumbashi saw Abdelrazig Omer fire the visiting Sudanese side into an early lead after just 12 minutes. Al Hilal managed to protect their advantage for a significant portion of the game, showcasing disciplined defending. However, the home side's persistence paid off when Ramos Kashala found the equalizer with only 11 minutes of regular time remaining.
This was Kashala's third goal in the current Champions League campaign, while Omer's opener was his second. The hard-fought draw means Al Hilal remains in a strong position to challenge for a spot in the quarter-finals.
Navigating a National Crisis
The backdrop to Al Hilal's campaign is one of profound adversity. The club has been unable to host any CAF matches in Sudan since April 2023, when a devastating civil war erupted between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
The conflict has had catastrophic consequences, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and displacing over 12 million people, creating the world's most severe hunger and displacement crisis. In response, Al Hilal, along with fellow Omdurman club Al Merrikh, has been forced to find refuge in foreign leagues. They competed as guests in the Mauritanian championship last season and are set to participate in the 2025-26 Rwandan league.
Despite these extraordinary circumstances, Al Hilal managed to qualify for the Champions League by winning the Sudanese national championship. This achievement required the team to travel to army-controlled northeastern Sudan to compete in and ultimately top an eight-club tournament.
Group C Standings and What's Next
The result leaves the group fascinatingly poised. Al Hilal now has four points from two matches, trailing Group C leaders Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa only on goal difference. Former champions Mouloudia Alger of Algeria and Saint-Eloi Lupopo each have one point.
In other Champions League action, Stade Malien of Mali joined Petro Luanda of Angola at the summit of Group D after a 2-1 victory over Tanzania's Simba SC. The mini-league phase of Africa's premier club competition will resume on January 23, shortly after the conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
