Hilal Al Sahel's 2-1 win over Walwalo Adigrat in Kigali puts the Sudanese club in a strong position in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round. They now need only a draw in Ethiopia to advance. The match was played at Kigali Pelé Stadium, a neutral venue, because Sudanese stadiums remain under a ban. This forced Hilal Al Sahel to play without home support and outside familiar conditions.
The first leg between Hilal Al Sahel and Welwalo Adigrat was officially scheduled for 4 September 2026, with the match recognized as the opening game of the preliminary round in the CAF Confederation Cup.
After halftime, Hilal Al Sahel regrouped. Coach Khalid Bakhit made tactical changes that paid off late in the match. Substitute Fares Mohyeldin scored in the 87th minute to restore the lead. The Sudanese side then held off a late push from Walwalo Adigrat, helped by a strong defensive effort and a key performance from their goalkeeper. The final score, confirmed by ESPN and BetExplorer, was 2-1 to Hilal Al Sahel.
Qualification pathway and next steps
With this away win, Hilal Al Sahel now need only a draw in Addis Ababa to move on to the next round of the Confederation Cup. The return leg is set for 12 September 2026 in the Ethiopian capital, according to ESPN Argentina. Playing abroad again will be a challenge, especially for a team with little continental experience and ongoing logistical hurdles. Still, the first-leg result gives them a clear advantage and puts pressure on their opponents.
Sudanese clubs and the group stage barrier
The match summary on YSscores designates the encounter as 'Playoffs - First Leg', confirming that this was only the opening game of a two-legged tie. At the time of reporting, no official CAF verdict on progression had been issued, and the aggregate outcome remains to be decided in the second leg.
Hilal Al Sahel's ability to get a result under difficult conditions shows their resilience and tactical discipline. The club's staff have managed a tough situation, from player inexperience to the challenge of playing every match away from home. If they can hold on in Addis Ababa, Hilal Al Sahel will have earned their place among the continent's rising clubs.
