Sudan’s Al Hilal Secures Crucial Draw in CAF Champions League Clash

In the first leg of the 2024/2025 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League second preliminary round, Sudan’s Al Hilal secured a vital 2-2 away draw against FC San Pedro. Under the guidance of coach Florent Ibenge, Al Hilal displayed resilience by coming from behind to level the score and enhance their prospects of progressing to the group stage.

The match saw FC San Pedro of Ivory Coast take the lead after 32 minutes with a goal by Guy Bedi. However, Al Hilal’s Mohamed Abdel Raman equalized just before halftime in the 42nd minute. San Pedro regained the lead after the break when defender Goudouss Bamba scored in the 65th minute. Nevertheless, Mohamed Abdel Raman showed his quality once more, scoring his second goal of the match with six minutes left, keeping Al Hilal’s hopes alive.

In another match involving CECAFA Zone teams, Kenya’s Gor Mahia FC suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat at the hands of Al Ahly from Egypt in Nairobi. Rami Rabia and Percy Tau were on the scoresheet for the Egyptian side, with Tau securing his brace later in the game.

Elsewhere, in Tunis, Somalia’s Dekedeha FC was defeated 4-1 by Esperance de Tunis. The Tunisian champions took control early with a goal from Yan Sasse in the 27th minute. Although Dekedeha’s Adepoji Oluwasen scored just before halftime, it wasn’t enough. Youcef Belaili scored twice, and Yassine Meriah added to the total, ensuring a comfortable win for the hosts.

Tanzania’s Young Africans SC achieved a narrow 1-0 away win against Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC at the Abebe Bikila Stadium, with Zimbabwean Prince Dube scoring the sole goal just before halftime.

Rwanda’s APR FC drew 1-1 with Egypt’s Pyramids FC at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali. The Rwandan team initially led due to an own goal by Mohamed Chibi, but DR Congo international Fiston Mayele Kalala later equalized for the visitors.

Sudan’s Al Merriekh also ended with a 2-2 draw playing against AS FAR from Morocco at the Juba National Stadium in South Sudan. Elsamani Elsawi and Mohamed Gbane scored for Al Merriekh, while Mohamed Hrimat and Abdelfettah Hadraf scored for AS FAR.

The second legs of this round will determine which 16 teams advance to the group stage, with matches scheduled for September 20-21, 2024.