Sudan’s Al Hilal down Esperance in CAF Champions League group tie

Al Hilal SC have registered their first win in the Group stage of the 2023/2024 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

After falling 1-0 away to Petro de Luanda in their opening Group C match over a week ago, the Sudan Premier League giants humbled Tunisia’s Esperance Sportive de Tunis 3-1 in a match played on Friday evening at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

A quick won goal by Yassine Meriah gave coach Florent Ibenge’s team the lead after 8 minutes, and Al Hilal earned a penalty seven minutes later. Mohamed Abdeirahman Yousif converted the penalty to take it to 2-0.

Kenna Sowe pulled a goal back for the Tunisian side after 59 minutes, but Pape Abdou N’Diaye netted the third goal for Al Hilal after 78 minutes to ensure the Sudan team picked maximum points.

Al Hilal will now prepare to play away to Etoile du Sahel on December 8th, and later host the same team on December 19th in Dar es Salaam.

On Saturday two other teams from the CECAFA Zone Young Africans SC and Simba SC will be in action in their respective groups. Young Africans SC who lost their opening Group B match 3-0 away to Algeria’s CR Belouizdad will host Africans giants Al Ahly at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

Another Tanzanian side Simba SC will play away to Group B table leaders from Botswana Jwaneng Galaxy FC.