Al Hilal and Yanga SC's fate in the Champions League knockouts

Dar es Salaam. Predicting outcomes in the Champions League has proven to be a difficult task this season, especially considering the challenging groupings.

Among the clubs, TP Mazembe from Lubumbashi stands out as one of Africa's most successful teams.

With five African Champions League titles, Mazembe is, arguably, the second most successful club in Africa after Al Ahly of Cairo and certainly the top club in Sub-Saharan Africa according to CAF rankings.

However, an unexpected turn of events has emerged: Al Hilal Omdurman from Sudan has become the first African team to qualify for the 2024/25 Champions League quarterfinals.

This was a scenario few would have predicted, even seasoned gamblers.

The unpredictability of the groupings has only added to the challenge.

In addition to TP Mazembe, there’s Yanga SC, who reached the final of the 2022/23 Confederation Cup and the quarterfinals of the 2023/24 Champions League.

In the latter, they were eliminated despite not losing a match in 90 minutes.

A disallowed goal from Aziz Ki Stephane against Mamelodi Sundowns led to a penalty shoot-out, which was ultimately decided by goalkeeper Rowen Williams' remarkable penalty-saving skills.

MC Alger’s record and Yanga’s motivations

MC Alger, like many Algerian and North African clubs, boasts a solid record.

Many Yanga fans celebrated their placement in the same group, hoping for revenge against Coach Florent Ibenge and Al Hilal, who had knocked them out of the Champions League in the 2022/23 season.

That defeat, however, served as a blessing in disguise as Yanga went on to perform admirably in the Confederation Cup, reaching the final before losing to USM Alger.

Yanga fans were not only excited about the chance for revenge but also confident in their team's ability to defeat both Al Hilal and TP Mazembe, whom they had beaten in previous Champions League editions.

Many believed they could top the group or, at the very least, finish above Al Hilal and TP Mazembe.

Al Hilal’s impact on Yanga’s African journey

Al Hilal’s success has not only seen them lead the group but has also put their fate in Yanga’s hands for this season’s African campaign.

A significant portion of Yanga’s destiny now depends on the outcome of their match against Al Hilal this Sunday in Mauritania, following their loss to the Sudanese side in Dar es Salaam.

Al Hilal’s impressive performance amidst adversity

What has been most surprising about Al Hilal is not just their performance on the pitch but how they have continued to perform at such a high level despite the adversity off the pitch.

This marks the second season the team has operated in exile due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan, where there is no active football league.

Despite these challenges, Al Hilal continues to shine.

Last season, Al Hilal camped in Dar es Salaam, playing their Champions League matches at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, but they failed to progress beyond the group stage.

This season, they have set up in Mauritania, where they are also participating in the local league and currently lead the Mauritanian league with 15 matches played, all without a loss.

A team in exile

How many clubs can maintain such performance under such conditions?

How many teams, both in Africa and globally, can sustain their squad and coaching staff while being based outside their home country?

How do they maintain leadership and secure funding in such a turbulent environment?

These are questions worth exploring in future articles. But for now, Al Hilal is a team that is fighting on and off the field.

To be the first team to qualify for the Champions League quarterfinals under these circumstances is a monumental achievement.

Al Hilal, a side many considered unlikely to progress past the group stage, has defied expectations.

Their resilience amidst adversity has been nothing short of remarkable.

The writer is a sports stakeholder and former TFF secretary general.