Last-Group Showdown: Can Al-Hilal and MC Alger Punch CAF Champions League Quarterfinal Tickets?
8 February 2026
Final Round Scenarios
With the last group-round of the CAF Champions League approaching, Al-Hilal SC (Sudan) remains the team to beat, even as the table keeps its edge-of-seat uncertainty. They sit on eight points and travel to face Saint Eloi Lupobo of Congo in a decisive matchup that, on paper, leans in their favor.
A win or a draw would keep Al-Hilal on course for direct qualification to the quarterfinals, regardless of the MC Alger vs Mamelodi Sundowns result. Yet even in defeat, their path isn’t closed; the route could hinge on goal difference if the duel with MC Alger ends level on aggregate.
Al-Hilal’s attacking form is evident: eight goals scored and seven conceded, which grants them a slight edge in a tight group when points are level. That balance makes the Lupobo clash a golden chance to seal advancement without drama or a last-minute cliffhanger.
MC Alger, sitting second with seven points, faces a stern test away to Mamelodi Sundowns in Pretoria. A victory would keep their hopes alive, but a draw or defeat would put their fate in Al-Hilal’s hands, once again turning goal difference into the final referee.
Current margins matter: MC Alger has five goals scored and four conceded, so even a small slip in Pretoria could tilt the balance against them while the other match looms large in the background.
Final-round scenarios
- Al-Hilal win or draw: direct qualification, regardless of MC Alger’s result.
- Al-Hilal lose by one goal: fate decided by goal difference against MC Alger; qualification remains possible.
- MC Alger win: both teams on the same points, with qualification decided by goal difference.
- MC Alger draw or lose: their chances fade, especially if Al-Hilal’s result is favorable.
In short, it’s a three-act thriller where the net and the scoreboard hold all the keys—and the whistle, of course, to release the crowd.
Sniper punchline 1: If group-stage drama were a sniper competition, these last rounds would be headshots—clean, precise, and over before you blink. Boom, scoreline locked.
Sniper punchline 2: My tactic for this one? Aim for the back of the net, not the back of the couch—the only thing getting shot here is the popcorn intake during stoppage time.
