Al Hilal SC began their 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over Kenyan side Tusker FC at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Sunday evening.

Goals from Kamaradini Mamudu and Salim Adams secured all three points for the Sudanese giants in their Group C opener, renewing fresh quest for the trophy they lost to current holders Singida Black Stars.

Al Hilal dominated possession from the outset but found themselves up against a disciplined Tusker side that remained compact defensively and looked to threaten on the counterattack.

The breakthrough came in the 30th minute when Mamudu’s effort took a decisive deflection, wrong-footing Tusker goalkeeper Brandon Obiero and giving Al Hilal the lead.

Tusker came close to an equaliser before halftime through defender Abud Omar, whose curling free-kick narrowly missed the target as the Brewers went into the break trailing 1-0.

Seeking a reaction, Tusker head coach Julien Mette made four changes at halftime, bringing on Tom Teka, Yakeen Mutheli, Brian Ikutwa and Fabi.

The substitutions injected greater urgency into Tusker’s play as they pushed higher up the pitch in search of an equaliser.

Abud threatened again from a set piece midway through the second half, forcing a full-stretch save from the Al Hilal goalkeeper. The rebound fell kindly to Disse, but the forward failed to convert from close range. Victor Ali also tested the goalkeeper with a low effort from the edge of the box.

Tusker’s best chance came in the 90th minute when substitute Steve Omondi met Hood’s corner with a powerful header, only for the Al Hilal goalkeeper to produce a brilliant save.

Tusker’s hopes of salvaging at least a point were finally extinguished in stoppage time when Adams finished off a swift counterattack to seal a 2-0 victory for the Sudanese side.

Tusker will now turn their attention to Wednesday’s crucial Group C encounter against hosts Rayon Sports before facing Zanzibar’s KVZ SC in their final group-stage match.