CAF CL: Chouiar’s Late Strike Breaks Al-Hilal Hearts, Sends Berkane into Semis

RS Berkane booked their place in the semi-finals with a dramatic 1–0 victory over Al-Hilal Omdurman, sealing qualification in a tense encounter played in Kigali at Amahoro Stadium.

In a match defined by intensity, Berkane showed resilience and composure when it mattered most.

For long periods, the Moroccan side were tested by a determined Al-Hilal team that carried both attacking threat and urgency, knowing what was at stake.

However, Berkane’s defensive organization and tactical patience ultimately proved decisive.

The first half offered little separation between the two sides. Al-Hilal looked lively on the flanks, with Jean-Claude Girumugisha providing pace and creativity, while Berkane relied on moments of quality from Mounir Chouiar and Youssef Mehri.

Despite the energy, neither side could find a breakthrough before the interval.

The turning point nearly arrived in the second half when Berkane were awarded a penalty.

Chouiar stepped up, but Al-Hilal goalkeeper Farid Ouédraogo produced a vital save to keep his team alive.

Minutes later, Al-Hilal thought they had taken the lead, only for Adama Coulibaly’s effort to be ruled out by VAR, a decision that shifted momentum back in Berkane’s favor.

As the clock ticked down, the tension inside the stadium grew. Al-Hilal pushed forward in search of the decisive goal, even hitting the post in a moment that seemed destined to change the outcome.

But Berkane held firm, absorbing pressure and waiting for their opportunity.

That moment came deep into stoppage time. In the 93rd minute, Chouiar redeemed himself in style, finishing off a well-worked set piece assisted by Zinédine Machach to send Berkane into the semi-finals.

The late strike silenced Al-Hilal and sparked celebrations for the Moroccan side.

With this victory, Berkane now advance to face FAR Rabat in what promises to be a high-stakes semi-final clash.

For Al-Hilal, the defeat is particularly painful. The Sudanese giants were chasing a long-awaited return to the last four of the CAF Champions League, a stage they have not reached in 11 years.

Their dream of ending that drought falls short once again, leaving a sense of what might have been after a brave and competitive performance.

Al-Hilal SC Starting XI: Soufiane Ouedraogo; Kamaradini Mamudu; Mohamedahmed Saeed Ahmed; Jean-Claude Girumugisha; Abdelrazig Taha; Mohamed Yagub Abdelrahman Yousif (C); Adama Coulibaly; Ernest Luzolo Nsita; El Hadj Kane; Mustafa Mohammed Abdualgadr Mohammed; Walieldin Khidir Safour Daiyeen.

Head Coach: Laurențiu Reghecampf

RS Berkane Starting XI: Anas Zniti; Mohamed-Aymane Sadil; Ayoub Khairi; Youssef Mehri; Abdelhak Assal; Yassine Lebhiri; Imad Riahi; Hamza El Moussaoui (C); Mounir Chouiar; Youness El Kaabi; Ismael Kandouss.

Head Coach: Mouin Chaabani