CAF Champions League: Al Hilal strike early but RS Berkane level late in 1st leg draw

Sudanese champions Al Hilal Omdurman executed their strategy perfectly late Saturday evening in the CAF Champions League but did concede a late equalizer in a 1-1 quarterfinal first leg draw in Morocco against hosts RS Berkane.

🎞️ Match Highlights:
Late drama as RS Berkane & Al Hilal SC are tied in the quarterfinals’ first leg.#TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/sndXStxE5M

— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) March 15, 2026

Adama Coulibaly produced a brilliant dribbling run on the right flank before setting up Abdel Raouf for a finish from close range for the only goal in the 13th minute.

A late penalty kick did prevent a shock victory but the result sets up an opportunity for the Sudanese club to reach the semifinals of Africa’s premier club competition for the first time in ten years.

Laurențiu Reghecampf’s side did brilliantly to earn a positive result in hostile territory. Conceding the majority of possession to the hosts, Hilal were able to limit RSB’s opportunities while seeking chances with direct play.

In the 13th minute, the formula worked perfectly. With Burundian winger Jean Claude Girumugisha on the opposite flank from Malian speed merchant Coulibaly, it was the latter who provided the crucial moment by dancing around Berkane defender Oussama Haddadi to get close to goal before cutting back for Raouf, who was wide open to fire into the roof of the net.

And the hosts never recovered from the early shock. The Hilal defense concentrated their efforts further and the “Orange Boys” struggled to find the solution to unlock their opponents’ defensive approach.

Hilal nearly stole a second goal in the final minutes after RSB goalkeeper Anas Zniti made a dreadful error on the ball. However, the veteran did recover to clear before Girumugisha cut inside from the left wing to fire wide.

RSB strike late to keep CAF Champions League hopes alive

But in stoppage time, Hilal right back Steven Ebuela’s careless late challenge took down Berkane substitute Hamza El Moussaoui after a cross attempt and a penalty kick was awarded. A red card was issued to the Congolese defender following a VAR review before Mounir Chouiar fired past goalkeeper Farid Ouédraogo from the spot to equalize at the end.

The two teams will meet for the second leg next Sunday in Kigali, Rwanda, where Hilal continue to participate in the Rwanda Premier League as a guest club due to the ongoing war in Sudan.