Rwanda Premier League: Al Merrikh stun Al Hilal as Sudan derby takes center stage

Sudanese football’s biggest rivalry was the focus of attention in Tuesday’s only clash from the Rwanda Premier League and it was Al Merrikh who emerged victorious with a dramatic 2-1 result against league leaders Al Hilal Omdurman.

Three days after clinching a place in the CAF Champions League quarterfinals by winning Group C, Hilal were brought back to Earth by their rivals. Lapses of concentration were clear to see from the reigning Sudanese club champions in the midst of a busy stretch of matches.

Zambian international Obino Chisala opened the scoring early in the second half after a dreadful sequence from the Hilal defense, which resulted in Chisala winning the ball off goalkeeper Farid Ouédraogo before finishing into an empty net.

The lead was doubled twenty minutes later from the penalty spot by Madagascar international Fenohasina Gilles Razafimaro, leading to a frantic finish as Hilal attempted to save themselves from defeat.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Al Merrikh SC (@almerrikh08)

Mohamed Abdelrahman pulled a goal back from the penalty spot and it appeared that the club captain would be able to save a point for Hilal when they were awarded a penalty kick in second half stoppage time. However, in a battle between Burkinabé goalkeepers it was Merrikh’s Ladji Sanou who came up with the most important moment by saving the penalty kick to secure victory for his club.

While Hilal remain in first place with games to make up on the rest of the competition due to Champions League duties, the result creates some suspense early in the second half of the campaign. Merrikh move to within a point of their rivals, who are tied at the top with Rwandan heavyweights APR FC.

The two clubs are competing in Rwanda’s top flight due to the ongoing war at home, which has left the two clubs playing as guest clubs outside of the country.  Last season, the two clubs competed in Mauritania’s Super D1 where Hilal emerged as the top club before returning home to win a shortened edition of their home country’s top flight.

Winning the abbreviated Sudanese championship allowed Hilal to qualify for the Champions League, where they will begin the quarterfinal stage on March 13 when they travel to Morocco to face RS Berkane for the first leg.

Rwanda Premier League table