Al Hilal head coach Laurentiu Aurelian Reghecampf has admitted that the club’s recent dip in form has provided valuable lessons for both himself and his players. The Sudanese giants are currently competing in the Rwanda Premier League without 11 key players who are away on international duty at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) which is taking place in Morocco. The AFCON-bound players include Ali Aboeshren, Altayeb Abaker, Yasser Awad Boshara, Mustapha Kharshom, Mohamed Saeed Ahmed, Mohamed Abuaagla, Salahedin Adil, Walieldin Khidir, Abdelrazig Omer, Mohamed Abderahman, and Yasir Mozamil. Their absence significantly affected Al Hilal’s performances, as the team went three matches without a win before registering a convincing 3-0 victory over Gorilla FC at Kigali Pele Stadium on Wednesday. Despite the challenges, Reghecampf believes the situation has presented an opportunity for young players to gain valuable experience. Al Hilal suffered defeats against Kiyovu (2-1) and Rutsiro (1-0) before settling for a 2-2 draw with Marines, results that reflected the team’s transition period. “It is good for our young players because they have managed to play many matches,” Reghecampf said. “Yes, we lost two games and had a draw, but this is good for our preparations for the continental matches.” “People may think we are losing, but we are giving chances to players who normally don’t play. This is very positive for us. We are building other players who can challenge in upcoming matches.” Al Hilal are competing in the CAF Champions League, and the Romanian tactician is focused on building a squad capable of competing both domestically and on the continental stage. Wednesday’s emphatic win over Gorilla FC provided a timely boost, even as the club places greater emphasis on its continental ambitions. “We are happy with the result and scoring three goals, but this doesn’t mean we are where we want to be,” Reghecampf said. “In football, many things can happen. Hopefully, we can repeat the good performances we had in previous matches. What makes me happy is that we are using players who are not usually in the first team, which is very good.” “We must prepare for the future, and hopefully we can achieve another good result in the next match.” The coach acknowledged the psychological impact of defeats on young players but reaffirmed his role in rebuilding confidence. “I know defeats can put players down, but I am here to lift them again. We will try our best to improve in the next matches,” he said. Reghecampf also highlighted the challenges faced by the squad, including a lack of experienced goalkeepers. “We currently have one young goalkeeper. All the others are unavailable because they are playing at AFCON,” he explained. “But we agreed to participate in the Rwandan league, and I thank you for the opportunity you gave us.” Al Hilal currently sit 12th on the league table with 14 points from eight matches.
