Caf Confederation Cup: Al-Hilal, Étoile Sportive du Sahel quarter final clash postponed

The Confederation of African football (Caf) has decided to postpone the Confederation Cup quarter-final return leg match between Al-Hilal and Étoile Sportive du Sahel due to political events in Sudan.

Al Hilal and Tunisia's Etoile du Sahel were due for their second leg clash this weekend but the two teams will now have to wait for a new date to be announced by the continent’s football governing body.

Protesters have been calling for a regime change in Sudan since December, and Omar Al-Bashir who has been in power for over 30 years is reported to have finally stepped down on Thursday.

Etoile won the first leg in Tunisia 3-1; thus making the second leg crucial for Al-Hilal to try to get back into it.

The first legs of the semi-finals of the Confederation Cup are due to be played on the final weekend in April, so a rescheduled match has to be before then.

The 25,000 Al-Hilal Stadium City in Omdurman, which is meant to host the quarter-final tie has been a fortress for Al Hilal as they have only been beaten once in that venue in their last 10 Confederation Cup games.

A statement on the Caf website read: “Due to the current security situation in Sudan, the Total Caf Confederation Cup second leg between El Hilal (Sudan) and Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia) has been postponed indefinitely.

“The match was due to take place on Sunday, 14 April 2019, at the El Hilal Stadium in Omdurman.

“The new date, kick-off time and venue of the match will be decided by Caf and communicated to all parties in due time.”