Sudanese giants Al Hilal Omdurman made a commanding start to their 2026/27 CAF Champions League campaign, defeating Burundi’s Aigle Noir 2-0 away from home in the first leg of their first preliminary-round tie.
The result puts Al Hilal firmly in control of the two-legged contest ahead of the return fixture in Sudan next weekend.
CAF confirmed the result in its official match report, listing Aigle Noir 0-2 Al Hilal among Saturday’s first-leg results. The Sudanese champions were one of the biggest winners of the day as the continental club competition got underway.
Al Hilal’s victory is particularly valuable given the challenges associated with African club competition away fixtures, where long-distance travel, unfamiliar conditions and hostile atmospheres can complicate even apparently favourable ties.
CAF had identified Al Hilal as one of the continent’s established forces ahead of the new campaign, with the Sudanese club among the sides expected to challenge for a place in the group stage.
The two-goal advantage also gives Al Hilal considerable breathing room before the second leg.
The return fixture is scheduled for September 11-13, when Al Hilal will have home advantage and the opportunity to complete their progression to the second preliminary round.
The 2026/27 CAF Champions League began this weekend with the first preliminary-round ties involving 58 clubs. The 29 winners will join the three exempted highest-ranked clubs — defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, Espérance de Tunis and RS Berkane — in the second preliminary round.
Al Hilal’s latest victory further underlines their consistency in Africa’s premier club competition.
CAF noted before the campaign that Al Hilal were among only four clubs to have reached the Champions League group stage in each of the previous five seasons, alongside Al Ahly, Espérance and Mamelodi Sundowns.
That record makes the Sudanese side one of the competition’s most experienced and dependable participants.
With a 2-0 advantage secured on the road, Al Hilal now have a strong opportunity to negotiate the opening hurdle and continue their pursuit of another deep run in the continent’s elite club competition.
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