CAF Champions League: El Merreikh Open Group Stage With Confident Win Over MC El Eulma
Sudanese giants El Merreikh got their CAF Champions League group stage campaign off to a winning start with a composed 2-0 victory over Algeria’s MC El Eulma on Friday in Omdurman.
The home side took control early in the encounter, with Algerian forward Noomene finding the net in the sixth minute to give El Merreikh the lead. The advantage was doubled in the 56th minute when Bakri El Madina capitalised on a well-worked move to seal the result for the Sudanese club.
With this result, El Merreikh sit at the top of Group A, which includes three Algerian clubs and the Sudanese side. Their victory provides an early advantage in what is expected to be a highly competitive group.
Speaking after the match, El Merreikh head coach Diego Garzitto expressed satisfaction with the outcome but pointed to areas where the team still needs improvement.
“We witnessed a match where my players dominated the entire encounter,” said Garzitto. “I am happy with the victory and with the performance, but not with the physical condition of my players. We still have to work to be better.”
Garzitto, who has managed clubs across Africa and won the Champions League with TP Mazembe in 2009, also lamented his side’s lack of efficiency in front of goal.
“We missed a lot of goal-scoring opportunities,” he added. “I decided to field only one striker, Abdoulkader Bakri, and shifted Ivorian Didier Lebri slightly to support him. It worked tactically, but we must be more clinical.”
The French-Italian coach also took a moment to acknowledge the fighting spirit of the visitors. “I want to salute the MC El Eulma team for their courage,” Garzitto said, praising the Algerian side’s effort despite the loss.
MC El Eulma now face a tough challenge to recover from the opening defeat, especially in a group that also features ES Sétif and USM Alger — two other formidable Algerian sides. For El Merreikh, the victory sets a positive tone as they aim to progress to the knockout stages.
El Merreikh will next travel for their second group match as they look to build on this strong start, while MC El Eulma must regroup quickly to keep their hopes alive in Africa’s premier club competition.