Reghecampf says Al Hilal will ‘come back stronger’ after Champions League exit

Al Hilal Omdurman head coach Laurentiu Reghecampf had admitted that his team has learned lessons from their CAF Champions League exit at the hands of RS Berkane and vowed to come back stronger. Al Hilal were knocked out following a narrow 2–1 aggregate defeat, sealed by Mounir Chouiar’s dramatic late goal in the quarterfinals second leg played at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Sunday. Despite holding an advantage heading into the decisive clash, Reghecampf admitted the tie remained finely balanced until the final moments, when a lapse in concentration proved costly. “We need to learn, grow, and come back stronger next season,” the Romanian coach told journalists in a post-match interview. ALSO READ: CAF CL: Chouiar late winner hurts Al Hilal, sends Berkane into semis “It is football—things happen on the pitch. We cannot predict what will happen tomorrow, but we did our best. We were prepared as a team and gave everything, but the chances were not for us.” Reghecampf added that his side had every opportunity to progress after avoiding defeat in the first leg in Morocco. “We had a chance because we didn’t lose the first-leg game, and we had the opportunity to decide everything at home until the 93rd minute. But we were cautious because we knew we were playing against a strong team,” he explained. Clearly disappointed, the coach described the result as “difficult to accept.” “It’s very difficult to speak after this game. We conceded in the final minute,” he said, while also pointing to defensive lapses and questioning some refereeing decisions, including a controversial moment involving a disallowed goal. Reghecampf emphasised that his team must use the experience as a stepping stone. RS Berkane will now face domestic rivals FAR Rabat in the semifinals while Esperance de Tunis will go up against Mamelodi Sundowns.

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Reghecampf says Al Hilal will ‘come back stronger’ after Champions League exit