Al Hilal stopped in Luanda, Simba held in CAF Champions League ties

Sudan Premier League side Al Hilal suffered a 1-0 defeat in their opening Group C match away to Petro de Luanda in the 2023/2024 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

Inácio Miguel netted the lone goal after 37 minutes in the match played at the 11 November Stadium in Luanda on Saturday.

Al Hilal tried to fight back and level matters, but failed to beat the Petro de Luanda goalkeeper. In the other group match played Esperance de Tunis defeated Etoile du Sahel 2-0 to go top of the log.

Simba SC, who reached the quarter final stage last season were held to a 1-1 draw by visiting ASEC Mimosas from Ivory Coast in a Group B match played at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Saturday.

Burundian international Saidi Ntibanzokiza converted a penalty after 44 minutes to give Simba SC the lead, but ASEC Mimosas made it 1-1 after 77 minutes. Serge N’guessan Pokou scored for the Ivorian side.

Teams from the CECAFA Zone will return to TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Group game action next weekend.

Coach Florent Ibenge’s Al Hilal who are playing their home matches in Tanzania because of the security challenges in Khartoum will face Group leaders Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia) on December 1st, 2023 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

Tanzania’s Young Africans who started their campaign with a 3-0 away defeat to Algeria’s CR Belouizdad in a Group D match played on Friday will prepare to host reigning champions  Al Ahly on December 2nd, 2023 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. Simba SC will on the same day play away to Jwaneng Galaxy FC in Botswana.