Sudan national team coach James Kwesi Appiah has delivered a major boost to Al Hilal by helping three of the club’s top players regain form and confidence after falling out of favour under previous management.
Abdelraouf Yacoub, Salah El Din Adel, and Walieldin Khidir had all faced the prospect of being sidelined, but the Ghanaian’s intervention has reignited their careers, with each player producing standout performances in the current CAF Champions League campaign.
From the sidelines to the spotlight
Al Hilal had considered releasing Yacoub, Adel, and Khidir two seasons ago after former coach Florent Ibenge removed them from his plans, relying heavily on foreign recruits.
Appiah discovered the trio during a Sudan national team camp in Taif and immediately integrated them into key continental matches, including World Cup qualifiers and AFCON.
This exposure not only gave the players a platform to showcase their talent but also restored their confidence, enabling them to return to top-level club football in fine form.
Roufa and Khidir lead the charge
Abdelraouf Yacoub, affectionately nicknamed “Roufa,” has emerged as one of the most influential performers in the current Champions League edition, scoring four goals and contributing heavily to Al Hilal’s strong campaign.
Alongside him, Walieldin Khidir, dubbed “Sudan’s Pogba,” and Salah El Din Adel have impressed with their consistency and versatility. The trio’s resurgence has carried over under current coach Laurentiu Reghecampf, solidifying their status as key figures in the squad.
Eyes on the Sundowns clash
Al Hilal will depend on Yacoub, Khidir, Adel, and the rest of their local and foreign stars in Friday’s crucial Group C clash against Mamelodi Sundowns at Amahoro Stadium.
Both teams currently sit atop the group with five points each, just one ahead of Saint Éloi Lupopo, while MC Alger occupy the bottom spot with two points.
The encounter promises to test the trio’s renewed form and could prove pivotal in Al Hilal’s bid to reach the CAF Champions League quarter-finals.
