Al Merreikh host arch-rivals Al Hilal in Cairo’s Al Salaam Stadium

The two Sudan Premier League giants Al Merreikh and Al Hilal clash this evening in a Group A match of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League in Cairo, Egypt.

It is a Khartoum derby which has now been extended to the Champions League and on a different venue, Al Salaam Stadium.

Al Merreikh is using the Stadium in Cairo as home ground since their Stadium in Khartoum is still undergoing renovation.

After holding table leaders Mamelodi Sundowns to a goalless draw last weekend, Al Merreikh believe they have what it takes to register their first maximum points in the group.

“I know playing against Al Hilal is not easy, but the team is well prepared and motivated to go out and win,” says Al Merreikh coach Lee Clark.

But Al Hilal coach Joao Mota whose side started the Group A campaign by holding reigning champions Al Ahly in Khartoum to a goalless draw also thinks they have a chance in this match.

“We know what must be done against Al Merreikh and the players must follow what they have been told. We need to take our chances and also defend with a lot of discipline,” says Mota.

Tomorrow Al Ahly will host 2016 champions Mamelodi Champions in Cairo in another Group A match.