Sudanese side AL Hilal joined fellow rivals AL Merrikh in the last four of the prestigious CA Champions League after crawling their way in a dramatic 1-1 draw with Egyptian side Smouha.

The group was open with three teams all level on 8 points.
At half time it looked more likely that the Moroccan Giants Mother Teton and TP Mazembe were set for the last four despite Mazembe leading them. Al Hilal were trailing Smouha by a 21st minute El Menoufy goal.

AL Hilal however had to thank Nasreldin AL Shigai who levelled for the Omdurman based side in the 73rd minute to effectively hand them the precious semi final spot.

TP Mazembe on the other hand ruthlessly humiliated Moroccan league defending champions Moghreb Tetuon 5-0 with Tanzanian international Marana Samata scoring a hatrick in the 12th,53rd and 90th minutes. Zambian captain Rainford Kalama and Ivorian Roger Assale scored the other two.

Mazembe will meet AL Merreikh in the semis while AL Hilal will confront Mc Alger.

Austin Oduor

talking African football