CAFCL: Lupopo fight back in home draw with Al Hilal

Congolese club FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo rallied to salvage a point in Sunday’s 1-1 CAF Champions League (CAFCL) draw with visitors Al Hilal Omdurman in Lubumbashi.

Ramos Kashala fired in the equalizer in the 79th minute to give the Congolese side their first point in Group C. A quickly taken corner kick fell kindly in the visitors’ penalty area and the forward made no mistake with his finish to cap off a strong second half performance from the hosts.

Passionate home support at the Stade TP Mazembe inspired Les Cheminots after a poor first half that saw Sudanese giants Al Hilal snatch the lead. In the 12th minute, midfield playmaker Abdel Raouf finished from close range after excellent work from winger Adama Coulibaly on the right flank.

The visitors, based in Rwanda for the 2025-26 season, took control early and prevented the home side from gaining momentum for the entire first half. However, three halftime substitutions inspired Lupopo to wrestle control of the match and they were able to prevent Hilal from claiming top spot in Group C, where Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa remain the leaders.

The Sudanese giants will travel to face Sundowns when the group stage resumes in late January. Lupopo will host Algerian champions MC Alger, who also have one point from two matches.