Al-Hilal Top Group C as Sundowns Advance; MC Alger Eliminated in Dramatic Finale

Al-Hilal Omdurman clinched top spot in Group C of the CAF Champions League on Saturday, while Mamelodi Sundowns secured qualification in second place after a tense final round that saw MC Alger bow out of the competition.

With all four teams still in contention heading into Matchday 6, the group delivered suspense until the final whistle.

Hilal Edge Lupopo to Seal First Place

In Omdurman, Hilal knew that victory over Saint Eloi Lupopo would guarantee top spot regardless of events elsewhere. The Sudanese champions rose to the occasion, edging the Congolese side 1-0 to finish on 11 points.

Stephen Eboli proved decisive in the 26th minute, firing a powerful low strike beyond the Lupopo goalkeeper to calm the home supporters and put Hilal in command.

The encounter was far from routine. Mohamed Abdel Rahman Gharbal had earlier appealed for a penalty after going down inside the box in the 18th minute, but his claims were waved away. Lupopo’s task became more difficult just before half-time when Bedi Junior was dismissed for a second yellow card following a shirt pull.

Despite being reduced to ten men, Lupopo believed they had found an equaliser in the 72nd minute, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. The drama intensified four minutes later when Hilal were also reduced to ten after Salah Adel received a red card, setting up a tense finale.

However, the Sudanese side held firm to preserve their narrow advantage and confirm qualification as group winners.

Sundowns Produce Clinical Display in Pretoria

In Pretoria, Sundowns delivered a commanding 2-0 victory over MC Alger to reach nine points and claim the remaining quarter-final berth.

The South African champions struck early through Colombian forward Brian Leon Muniz, who reacted quickest to a rebound in the sixth minute to give the hosts an immediate advantage.

Knowing that only a win would secure progression, Sundowns maintained control and doubled their lead in the 64th minute. Muniz again made the difference, meeting a low cross inside the area and finishing clinically to complete his brace and effectively extinguish MC Alger’s hopes.

The Algerian side, who began the day with seven points, pressed forward in search of a lifeline but were met by disciplined defending and tactical maturity from Sundowns. The final whistle confirmed their elimination from a tightly contested group.

Final Standings

Hilal finished top with 11 points, two clear of Sundowns on nine. MC Alger placed third with seven points, while Lupopo ended bottom on five.

Hilal now advance as group winners and will face one of the runners-up from the other sections, while Sundowns must prepare for a potentially tougher draw against one of the competition’s group leaders.

Group C, finely balanced throughout the campaign, ultimately delivered drama befitting the CAF Champions League — and two deserving quarter-finalists.

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