CAF Champions League: MC Alger hold on to continue push for quarterfinal place

Algerian champions MC Alger earned their second consecutive victory in Group C of the CAF Champions League on Friday with a 2-1 win over group leaders Al Hilal Omdurman of Sudan.

First half goals from Moslem Anatouf and Zinedine Ferhat were enough for the hosts to hold on and survive a late push from Hilal at the Stade Ali La Pointe in Algiers.

It was a strong start from Rulani Mokwena’s side, who continued their revival after a poor start to the group stage by delivering an excellent first half performance. Al Hilal gave their opponents too much time in the midfield and the hosts were efficient when opportunities were presented to them.

In the 15th minute, the breakthrough arrived when a pass over the top of the Hilal defense found Ferhat. Goalkeeper Farid Ouédraogo came far off his line but Ferhat slipped past the Burkinabé keeper and crossed for Anatouf, who finished into the empty net to send the home support into a frenzy.

Ferhat then doubled the advantage close to halftime with a stellar strike. Collecting a pass from the midfield by Chahreddine Boukholda, the veteran forward cut past a defender before curling his shot past Ouédraogo.

Hilal finally woke up after halftime and could have stolen a point away from home. The tension for the home supporters and Mokwena increased rapidly, especially when Mauritania international Ahmed M’Bracek ran onto a pass from recent acquisition Kamaradini Mamudu to finish past MCA goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz in the 77th minute.

And the stadium went silent ten minutes later when Hilal just missed out on a massive equalizer after a header was flicked wide of Guendouz’s goal. The full time whistle arrived to the great relief of the hosts after a frightening period of dominance from Al Hilal as they furiously pushed to claim a point.

📸 | زين الدين فرحات 🎯🥅 pic.twitter.com/LHO8F58brA

— Mouloudia Club d’Alger (@THEDEAN1921) February 6, 2026

MCA move into second place for now with the result. However, regardless of the result in the other Group C clash on Saturday between DR Congo’s Saint-Éloi Lupopo and South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns, the Algerian club will likely need to avoid defeat next weekend when they travel to face Sundowns in South Africa.

Al Hilal remain at the top of the group despite the defeat, and can secure their place in the quarterfinals with a victory in Rwanda next weekend when they host Lupopo at their adopted home.

CAF Champions League: Group C Table