Football
Exclusive: Al Hilal's Mohamed Shirks CAF Champions League Favourites Tag After TP Mazembe Victory: 'It’s Still Early Days'
Adil Mohamed of Al Hilal Sudan believes consistency is key despite their unbeaten run of 19 matches in their bid for the CAF Champions League title. Downplaying favorites tag, Mohamed highlights the importance of staying focused on one game at a time and avoiding pressure. The team faces MC Alger next in their pursuit of advancing to the next round.
Al Ahly v Al Hilal Omdurman - CAF Champions League 2023 by NurPhoto | Getty Images
Adil Mohamed believes it's too early to label Al Hilal as CAF Champions League favorites, despite their strong start in the group stage.
The Sudanese giants defeated TP Mazembe 2-1 in their second group match, extending their lead in Group A after a 2-0 away win against Young Africans in November.
Mohamed Abdelrahman’s 22nd-minute penalty put Al Hilal ahead at the Cheikha Ould Boidiya Stadium, but the Congolese side equalized with Oscar Kabwit’s stunning strike in the 64th minute.
With the game seemingly heading for a draw, super-sub Jean Girumugisha sealed the victory with a long-range effort, leaving the five-time African champions returning home with heads held low.
Florent Ibenge’s side has now earned six points from their matches so far, with Algeria’s MC Alger in second place, holding four points.
"It was a very tough game. TP Mazembe are one of the biggest teams in Africa, and we’re glad to have taken all three points," Mohamed told SportsBoom.com. "We could have scored more, but we missed a couple of chances. I must say kudos to my teammates for playing their role.
"This match is behind us, and our focus is now on the upcoming games. We will surely correct the mistakes we made in this one."
TITLE FAVOURITES? A LONG ROAD AHEAD
Al Hilal are regarded as strong contenders for the CAF Champions League title this season, having gone six games unbeaten.
Indeed, the club remains unbeaten in their last 19 matches across all competitions, but the Sudan international has downplayed such talk, emphasizing that the focus should be on maintaining the club's consistency.
He continued: "It’s nice to hear positive things about us, but we’re not getting carried away. We want to maintain this winning mentality.
"As for the favourites tag, we won’t let it get to our heads because we know there are many matches left before, we can be crowned African champions.
"Other clubs in the group are also competing to win. For us, every game is a final, and we want to continue our impressive run. Hopefully, at the end of the season, we’ll have something to celebrate.
"I don’t want to focus on the CAF Champions League title just yet—it’s still early days. It has to be game by game."
NOT UNDER PRESSURE TO BREAK JINX
Since the inception of the CAF Champions League, Al Hilal have reached the final twice, but on both occasions, they were unable to claim the title.
Their first final appearance was in 1987, where they were defeated by Egyptian giants Al Ahly. Five years later, they reached the final again, only to be denied the title by Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca.
Following their dominance on the domestic scene, many may feel it’s time for the Omdurman-based side to break their longstanding jinx and become the first Sudanese team to be crowned African champions.
Mohamed stated: "It would be a source of pride to win the title, but we’re not putting unnecessary pressure on ourselves. There’s expectation for us to break the jinx, but we’re just focused on our game.
"This is football, and the more you dwell on these things, the slimmer your chances of winning. The season is still young, and there are many matches ahead, so we must stay calm and humble.
"We need to stay in the moment and enjoy it. We’re doing well, but there’s a long way to go, and we have to keep working and improving."
WHY AL HILAL ARE INVINCIBLE
The Sudan international explained the reasons behind his team's unbeaten run of over eight months. Their last defeat was a 1-0 loss to the Tunisian side in the CAF Champions League on March 2, 2024.
He hinted: "We're not doing anything special; we play as a unit, see ourselves as a family, and have a strong fighting spirit. These qualities have kept us solid. "The team's overall quality is commendable, and anyone called upon to play gives their best. We must also acknowledge the impact of coach Florent [Ibenge].
"He’s a father figure to us, and his presence has helped us bond. With his vast experience, we hope to win trophies for the club and our ever-supportive fans."
Al Hilal will face MC Alger in their next outing on December 14 at the Stade du 5 Juillet in Algiers, as they aim to strengthen their chances of qualifying for the next round.
Before that showdown, Al Hilal will face Garde Nationale in the Super D1. Currently, Ibenge’s side competes in Mauritania’s elite division due to the ongoing war in Sudan.
Shina Oludare is a notable Nigerian sports journalist and writer recognized for his extensive coverage of African sports. He has made significant contributions to the field through his work with reputable media outlets such as Goal.com and Soccernet. Known for his insightful analysis and comprehensive reporting, Oludare covers a wide range of topics within African football, including domestic leagues, national teams, and emerging talents. His work includes detailed player profiles, match previews and reviews, and transfer news, providing valuable insights into the intricacies of the sport on the continent.