CAF Champions League: Al Hilal Coach Reveals What Made Saint Eloi Lupopo So Tough to Beat
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Al Hilal Omdurman coach Laurențiu Reghecampf has broken his silence following a frustrating 1-1 draw against Saint Eloi Lupopo in their second CAF Champions League group stage match on Sunday, November 30.
Al Hilal struck first in the 12th minute when Abdelraziq Omer capitalised on a sharp start to steer the ball in from close range.
Saint Eloi Lupopo struggled to respond, with captain Issama Mpeko booked before halftime, but second-half changes injected urgency for the Congolese hosts.
As Al Hilal came under increasing pressure, with Petrus Aprocious cautioned, Saint Eloi Lupopo finally equalised in the 79th minute when Ramos Kashala slid the ball home after a fortunate bounce.
Al Hilal remained dangerous on the break, but two players were booked as the Sudanese side held firm to secure a point. Tempers flared in stoppage time with Saint Eloi Lupopo substitute Mika Miche also cautioned, yet neither team could find a winner.
Al Hilal Coach: I Think Both Teams Are Happy
The Al Hilal coach expressed satisfaction with the 1-1 draw against Saint Eloi Lupopo, noting that both teams would likely be content with a point from the match.
He explained that Al Hilal had the upper hand in the first half, while Saint Eloi Lupopo performed better in the second.
The coach praised the supporters, commending them for their positive and non-aggressive support throughout the 90 minutes, which he believed benefited Saint Eloi Lupopo.
“I think both teams are happy with one point. It was a very good game. In the first half, we were the better team, and then in the second half, Lupopo was better,” Laurențiu Reghecampf said in the post-match press conference.
“I liked the fans, I have to say congratulations, they were behind the team for the 90 minutes, they were not aggressive, and I believe that helped Lupopo a lot. We know that we are going to experience such matches, and the fans will be behind who they support for 90 minutes.”
Al Hilal Coach Blames Fatigue in Draw Against Saint Eloi Lupopo
Coach Laurențiu Reghecampf reflected on his team’s recent challenges, explaining that he had studied their previous match in South Africa against Orlando Pirates and shared key insights with his players ahead of the game.
The coach highlighted that the squad faced numerous obstacles, including fatigue from recent national team duties, extra playing time, and being reduced to ten men in previous matches.
Despite these difficulties, he stressed that the situation is not an excuse, expressing confidence that his team will perform better in their upcoming fixtures.
“I saw the team in South Africa against Orlando Pirates, and I have all the information. Before the game, I told my players that it would be a tight game and they had to be prepared. We had many problems in the last few days, and we did not recover our players to be fit for this game,” he disclosed.
“My players played three days ago in the national team, and they played 120 minutes, and they played with one player less. It was difficult for our players, and at the moment, I have players who have played 40/42 matches, and it’s not easy to deal with this kind of situation.”
The draw comes after Friday’s goalless encounter between MC Alger and Mamelodi Sundowns in Algiers. Mamelodi Sundowns top Group C on goal difference with four points, level with Al-Hilal, while MC Alger sit third with two points and Saint Eloi Lupopo trail with one from two matches.
Both sides return to continental action in January, with Saint Eloi Lupopo aiming to build on their improved second-half performance for a first group-stage win, and Al Hilal seeking to extend their unbeaten start.
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