Sudan’s Al-Hilal delivered an excellent performance in Omdurman on Saturday to move back into contention of Group B in the CAF Champions League, defeating Al Ahly 1-0 in the Egyptian superpower’s return to African club football. Makabi Lilepo’s brilliant strike from a direct free kick in the second half was enough for Hilal to earn maximum points and moved the Sudanese champions into second place in the group with three points from two matches. Ahly will be under pressure in their next Group B matchup when they host group leaders Mamelodi Sundowns next week.
Ahly got off to a promising start and should have opened the scoring in the sixth minute. A low cross from the left wing deflected back to Hussein El Shahat who had plenty of time to line up his shot from ten yards out but sent his low effort wide. El Shahat’s miss was the closest look for either team in a first half lacking in opportunities.
The hosts came out inspired after halftime and seized control of the match. Lilepo tested Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy with a firm header from a David Abagna cross within the opening two minutes. The 54th minute saw Lilepo produce a moment of magic and the game’s only goal when the Congolese attacker boldly attempted to strike a free kick on goal from the left wing. A combination of the sun and the swerve on Lilepo’s shot caused El Shenawy to miss his attempt at a save and the ball flew past the Egypt national team shot stopper.
Ahly never got going after El Shahat’s early miss and hardly troubled the Hilal defense. Lilepo had a chance to double Hilal’s lead when Walieldin Khidir was tripped up in the Ahly penalty area by Hamdi Fathi, resulting in a penalty kick that was tamely shot down the middle for El Shenawy to save. However Ahly failed to mount a serious comeback effort despite Lilepo’s failed spot kick and Hilal held on for their first victory over Ahly since 2007.
Watch Lilepo’s winning goal below.
