CAFCL: ‘Lupopo must win against Al Hilal’ – Hendou

FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo assistant coach Karim Hendou says they face a must-win situation in the last Group C match of the CAF Champions League against Al Hilal Club (Omdurman) on Saturday, February 14.

He said this in a post-match interview following Sunday’s one-all draw with Mamelodi Sundowns in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Algerian said his side needs nothing short of maximum points in the final match of the group away in Rwanda to the Sudanese giants.

🏆 #TotalEnergiesCAFCL
⚽ FC St Eloi Lupopo ⚔️ Mamelodi Sundowns
⏰ 90+4′
🥅 1-1
🔚 𝐅𝐈𝐍
Cheminots 🤝 Sundowns (1-1)
Ils n’ont rien lâché ! Malgré le score de parité, les Cheminots ont montré un visage conquérant. Le public ne s’y trompe pas et raccompagne les joueurs sous… pic.twitter.com/RKttvfvlC6

— FC Saint Eloi Lupopo (@fcsteloilupopo) February 8, 2026

“We drew, but for me, we played a very good match. A very, very good match especially in the first half, where we scored a goal before conceding from a set piece in the second half. We have one match left, and to qualify, we must win, and we will win in Kigali,” the coach told the press.

Enock Moila gave the hosts the lead at TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi in the 10th minute before midfielder Jayden Adams equalized for the visitors from a set-piece in the 54th minute.

What the draw means for Lupopo

The result left the Lubumbashi-based side still anchoring the log table with five points, one point behind the South African Premier Soccer League side and three behind leaders Al Hilal Omdurman.

Al Hilal will host Lupopo on February 14, 2026 with the hosts needing just a draw to seal their quarterfinal berth. The Congolese side drew 1-1 with Al Hilal in the first leg.

Third-placed MC Alger, who trail Al Hilal by a point, will travel to South Africa for a meeting with Sundowns next weekend. A draw might not be enough for either side to advance to the next stage of the competition.