In a gripping Group C opener of the 2025–26 CAF Champions League at Stade Amahoro in Kigali, Al Hilal Omdurman secured a hard-fought 2–1 victory over MC Alger, but the celebratory mood was dampened when tensions flared after the final whistle.
Al Hilal drew first blood just before halftime. In the 45+2 minute, Abdelrazig Omar struck to give the Sudanese side the lead, thanks to a well-placed pass from Jean Claude Girumugisha.
MC Alger responded early in the second half. Around the 53rd minute, a cross down the right flank deflected off Mustafa Karshoum and ended up in his own net, leveling the score at 1–1.
With momentum swinging, Al Hilal regained the lead in the 75th minute: substitute Mohamed Abdelrahman connected with a cross from Steven Ebuela, and calmly finished from the edge of the area.
The match was not without drama — Salaheldin Adel of Al Hilal was sent off in the 87th minute after receiving his second yellow card. Despite being down to ten men, Hilal held on to secure the win.
Just moments after the final whistle, an eyewitness at the stadium reported that a heated confrontation broke out between players from both teams. What began as a verbal exchange quickly escalated into pushing and shoving.
Stewards and Rwanda National Police present at the stadium intervened promptly, rushing onto the pitch to separate the players and restore order. According to the eyewitness, coaching staff and substitutes from both sides also moved in, urging restraint and preventing further escalation.
No serious injuries were reported, and the situation was contained in a few tense minutes. Still, the incident highlighted the high emotional stakes of the match.
Al Hilal’s victory offers a strong start to their Champions League campaign, especially given the pressure of playing at a neutral venue. Yet, the post-match incident underlines how quickly competitive intensity can boil over in high-stakes games. While the three points are theirs, both clubs and security officials will likely review what happened in the aftermath — and fans will be watching closely to see if disciplinary action follows.
