Photo Credit: Al Hilal SC
Mauritanian capital Nouakchott will host the final match of the second round at the CAF Champions League when Sudan's Al-Hilal Omdurman host DR Congo's TP Mazembe on Sunday evening. Mazembe will have little time to prepare in Mauritania due to travel issues leaving Hilal as the apparent favorites in an important Group A clash.
Al-Hilal Omdurman
18-year-old Malian attacker Adama Coulibaly celebrates his goal against Young Africans
Photo Credit: Al Hilal SC
Despite being forced to relocate to Mauritania due to the war in Sudan, the 2024-25 campaign is going smoothly for Hilal. The team of coach Florent Ibengé are undefeated this season, currently occupying the top spot in Mauritania's Ligue 1 where they are playing their domestic football along with Sudanese rival club Al-Merreikh. The good results are happening in the Champions League as well where Hilal surprised Tanzanian giants Young Africans in their Group A opener with a 2-0 victory in Dar es Salaam.
The victory against Young Africans opened the eyes of observers to 18-year-old attacking talent Adama Coulibaly after the Malian produced magic to open the scoring. Coach Ibengé likes to use young players and it appears that Coulibaly will join Burundian forward Jean-Claude Girumugisha as the preferred options for the Congolese tactician.
Sudan national team star Mohamed Abdelrahman is likely to start on Sunday with in form striker Yasir Mozamil another Sudanese option Ibengé can count upon.20-year-old Ivorian goalkeeper Issa Fofana continues to show great potential and has a talented defensive line in front of him lead by central defender Ousmane Diouf and Mauritania national team left back Khadim Diaw.
TP Mazembe
TP Mazembe left back Ernest Luzolo is the veteran leader of the Ravens
Photo Credit: TP Mazembe
The Ravens experienced significant travel delays on their path from Lubumbashi to Mauritania, being stranded overnight in the Congolese capital of Kinshasa before arriving Saturday evening. For a club that tends to struggle away from home in the Champions League, this is the last thing coach Lamine N'Diaye and his team needs considering their results are less than satisfying to supporters this season.
For N'Diaye and Mazembe supporters, the lack of a reliable attack is the major concern. The club's youth academy has yet to produce a consistent goal scorer and the foreign imports such as Cheick Fofana (Mali) and Jean Diouf (Senegal) are also not producing.
The defense remains strong led by captain Magloire Ntambwe in the center and former DR Congo national team left back Ernest Luzolo. Giant Senegalese goalkeeper Alioune Badara Faty also continues to develop into a reliable player since joining from Casa Sports in 2023.
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