Al Hilal leave Rwanda for CAF Champions League tie in Burundi

Al Hilal Omdurman have left Rwanda for Bujumbura ahead of their CAF Champions League meeting with Aigle Noir Makamba on September 5, 2026. The fixture will be the first leg of the first-round tie in Burundi.

The Sudanese club will face Aigle Noir in Bujumbura before hosting the return match on September 12. Al Hilal are listed as the home side for that second leg, which is scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda.

The trip marks the start of Al Hilal’s continental campaign under Josef Zinnbauer. The German coach took charge in early August and has been preparing the squad for its opening major African assignment of the season.

Al Hilal reached the CAF Champions League quarter-finals last season and are seeking a longer run this time. A positive result in Bujumbura would give them a stronger position before the return fixture, although their immediate task is to negotiate the opening round against Aigle Noir.

Their recent form offers a mixed but generally encouraging picture. Al Hilal lost 2-1 to Jamus and drew 1-1 with Gor Mahia before beating Rayon Sports 1-0, KVZ 4-0 and Tusker 2-0. Aigle Noir have also won three of their last five matches, recording victories over Garage Express, Dynamik and Muzinga FC, alongside a 2-2 draw with Le Messager Ngozi and a 2-1 defeat by Royal Vision.

The first-leg venue gives Aigle Noir the initial home advantage, while Al Hilal will be aiming to take a useful result back to Rwanda for the September 12 conclusion of the tie.