Al Hilal team manager Shaker Ali Al-Taher has hailed his outfit resilience after defying odds to reach the quarterfinal of the CAF Champions League on the back of unrest in Sudan.
The draw, held in Cairo saw the Sudanese giants being paired against Mali powerhouse Stade Malien in a high-stake clash next month.
Despite the unrest in Sudan, Al Hilal managed to grind results to progress to the last eight of the CAF’s elite club competition.
However, Ali Al-Taher has praised his outfit performance under the conditions of war, while promising to deliver better performances as the competition heats up.
“We overcame the difficulties and exceptional circumstances of war, and Al-Hilal has become a symbol of Sudan, representing it and raising the country’s flag.” he told beIN SPORTS.
“Al-Hilal did everything in its power to top the group. Reaching the next rounds? We’ll see what happens.”
The first leg of the quarterfinal has been scheduled for the weekend of March 13-15, 2026, with the reverse fixture slated for March 20-22, 2026.
These clashes mark the start of the knockout journey toward the May final, with all eight remaining clubs dreaming of continental glory.
The winner of the match between FAR Rabat and Pyramids will battle it out with the winner of RS Berkane and Al-Hilal in the semifinals.
With tight scheduling across domestic and continental calendars, managing squad rotation, travel and pressure will be crucial over these two legs.
Fans across Africa can now circle mid-March on their calendars as the continent’s premier club competition enters its most dramatic phase yet.
