In a charged atmosphere at Ali La Pointe Stadium in Algiers, still marked by tensions from the first leg, Al Hilal Omdurman suffered a 2–1 defeat to MC Alger on Friday night in the fifth round of the CAF Champions League group stage. Despite the setback, the Sudanese giants remain firmly in the race for qualification. ALSO READ: CAF Champions League: Al Hilal ready to fight for qualification in Algeria Prior to the encounter, MC Alger had failed to beat Al Hilal in their previous three meetings, recording two defeats and a draw. Determined to end that run, the Algerian champions approached the match with clear intent against the Group C leaders. MC Alger, who sat third with four points before kick-off, needed victory to close the gap on Al Hilal, who led the group with eight points. Backed by a passionate home crowd, the hosts produced a dominant first-half display. Moslem Anatouf opened the scoring in the 15th minute, before Zinedine Ferhat doubled the advantage just before halftime to give MC Alger a deserved 2–0 lead at the break. Al Hilal responded with increased urgency after the restart and were rewarded in the 77th minute, when Ahmed M’Bracek pulled one back, reigniting the contest and raising tension inside the stadium. Despite a dramatic and fiercely contested finish, MC Alger held firm to secure a 2–1 victory. The result lifts the Algerian side provisionally to second place in Group C with seven points, just one behind Al Hilal. However, the standings remain subject to change, with Mamelodi Sundowns (five points) and Saint-Éloi Lupopo (four points) yet to play their fifth-round fixture. Despite the defeat, Al Hilal Omdurman retain all their qualification hopes, with the final matchday set to be decisive in an evenly balanced Group C.
