Sudanese club Al Hilal Omdurman secured a 1-1 draw against Saint-Eloi Lupopo in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday, keeping them on track for the CAF Champions League quarter-finals. The match in Lubumbashi saw Abdelrazig Omer score for the visitors early, before Ramos Kashala equalized late. Despite ongoing civil war displacing them from home, Al Hilal now has four points in Group C.
Al Hilal Omdurman, unable to host matches in Sudan since civil war erupted in April 2023, traveled to Lubumbashi for their CAF Champions League group-stage encounter with Saint-Eloi Lupopo. The conflict between the national army and Rapid Support Forces has killed tens of thousands and displaced 12 million people, creating severe humanitarian crises.
Midfielder Abdelrazig Omer gave Al Hilal the lead after just 12 minutes, marking his second goal in the competition. The Sudanese side held firm until the 79th minute, when forward Ramos Kashala leveled the score with his third Champions League goal of the campaign.
The draw leaves Al Hilal with four points from two matches in Group C, trailing leaders Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa on goal difference. Both teams have four points, while Mouloudia Alger of Algeria and Lupopo sit on one point each. To qualify for the tournament, Al Hilal won their national championship in an eight-club event in army-controlled northeastern Sudan. Last season, they competed as guests in the Mauritanian championship, and they plan to join the 2025-26 Rwandan league alongside Al Merrikh.
In other Group D action, Stade Malien of Mali defeated Simba of Tanzania 2-1 in Bamako. Cameroonian Taddeus Nkeng and Ismaila Simpara scored for the hosts in the first half, with South African Neo Maema pulling one back on 54 minutes. Nkeng had a penalty saved, and Simba ended with 10 men after Senegalese Alhassane Kante's red card. Petro Luanda and Stade Malien lead with four points, followed by Esperance of Tunisia on two and Simba on zero.
The group stage resumes on January 23, following the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.