Day: January 31, 2026

After a hard-fought triumph, Sudanese side Al Hilal go top of Group C lead
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

After a hard-fought triumph, Sudan’s Al Hilal go top of Group C

On Friday night, Al-Hilal astonished South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns with a 2-1 victory in Kigali to claim Group C in the CAF Champions League, thereby ending a long wait for a victory over their prestigious rivals.

Performed at the Amahoro Stadium, the Matchday 4 match swung on moments of ruthlessness from the Sudanese side, who capitalised on Sundowns’ errors to climb to the top of the table at the halfway stage of the group phase.

Deep into first-half stoppage time, Al-Hilal struck first after referee Mahmoud Nagy gave a penalty following a costly error by veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango.

Mohammed Abdel Rahman, an international forward, stepped forward and held his nerves to send Onyango the wrong way, enabling the Sudanese champions a well-deserved halftime lead.

Al-momentum stayed with them after the restart, doubling four minutes into the second half.

Jean Claude Girumugisha grabbed a loose ball on the perimeter of the field and fired a low shot beyond Onyango, a finish highlighting Sundowns’ increasing uneasiness and their opponents’ sharpness.

Sundowns reacted by speeding their pace and found a lifeline just beyond the hour mark.

With a composed finish from inside the penalty area, Brazilian replacement Arthur Sales reduced the gap and inspired the South Africans, creating a nervous final half-hour.

Sundowns could not find an equaliser despite ongoing pressure.

Defending with discipline and resilience, Al-Hilal slowed the game at key times and guarded their slim lead to guarantee a statement triumph on neutral soil.

The outcome moves Al-Hilal eight points and alone atop Group C, putting them in a good place going into the critical phase of the tournament.

While Sundowns remain second with five points and will need a great response in the return games to reaffirm their eligibility.

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Matchday 4 fixtures – (All times GMT)

Group C Result - Friday,  30 January — Al Hilal (SUD) 2-1 Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)
Group B - Saturday, 31 January
13:00 — Young Africans SC (TAN) vs Al Ahly SC (EGY)
19:00 — AS FAR Rabat (MAR) vs JS Kabylie (ALG)

Group A - Sunday, 1 February
16:00 — Pyramids FC (EGY) vs RS Berkane (MAR)
16:00 — Rivers United (NGA) vs Power Dynamos (ZAM)

Group D - Saturday, 31 January
16:00 — Petro Atlético (ANG) vs Stade Malien (MLI)
Sunday, 1 February
13:00 — Simba SC (TAN) vs Espérance de Tunis (TUN)

Group C - Sunday, 1 February
19:00 — MC Alger (ALG) vs St Éloi Lupopo (DRC)
Callum Cesay's Salford City visit Tranmere Rovers in Sky Bet League Two
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kallum Cesay’s Salford City visit Tranmere Rovers in Sky Bet League Two

Saturday afternoon, when Salford City visits Tranmere Rovers in Sky Bet League Two (KO 15:00 GMT), they will be hoping to get back on track.

Karl Robinson’s side heads into the match following their home loss to Chesterfield on Tuesday night. Even so, there were definitely advantages to be gained from the performance; the Ammies forced Zach Hemming into two superb first-half saves.

Ryan Graydon hit the woodwork in the second half and registered fourteen more shots on the Chesterfield goal before a late deflected shot in stoppage time dealt Salford’s first loss in ten contests.

The Stats between the two sides

Tranmere have lately dropped their last two EFL meetings with Salford (both in 2025 – 0-2 in February and 1-3 in September), but they only lost one of their first nine (W4 D4).

Following their 3-1 triumph at home earlier this season, Salford will be aiming to complete an EFL league double over Tranmere for the first time.

While Tranmere have not lost four in a row since January–February 2020, when they were in League One (a run of five), they have lost each of their last three home league games.

Having won their last three away league matches, Salford City last won four in a row in the same season in September/October 2022.

Sullay Kaikai's Cambridge United pushing for automatic promotion
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sullay Kaikai’s Cambridge United pushing for automatic promotion

Following their most recent triumph over Shrewsbury Town, Sierra Leone International Sullay Kaikai and his Cambridge United are vying for an automatic promotional spot.

They face Oldham Athletic on Saturday at Boundary Park as they chase automatic promotion. However, they’ll find things difficult against the host.

Stats - Oldham Athletic versus Cambridge United

After their September 1-0 victory, Oldham are hoping to complete the double over Cambridge for the first time in the Football League since 1999–00.

Cambridge have won only one of their previous eight Football League (D3 L4) contests against Oldham, albeit it was on their most recent visit to Boundary Park in March 2021 (4-2).

Having lost two of their first three at Boundary Park this season (D1), Oldham have lost just one of their past ten home league games (W4 D5).

Cambridge has won the last two of their unbeaten six away league games (W3 D3). In April 2022, they last won three consecutive away from home.

Kaikai's Cambridge last encounter

Ben Knight’s late penalty earned Cambridge a League Two victory over Shrewsbury. Kaikai was part of the starting team that beat Town 1-0 at Cledara Abbey Stadium.

Until Luca Hoole handled Ben Purrington’s cross in the last minute of regulation, the game seemed set to finish goalless.

With five minutes of extra game play left, Knight sent Shrews’ goalie Matthew Cox the wrong way from the spot.

Six minutes into the game, when debutant stopper Cox flew out to stop Sullay Kaikai from scoring off a brilliant pass by Louis Appere, the best opportunity of the match to that point had come.

Shrewsbury’s only opportunity came after 55 minutes when Tom Sang’s corner found Josh Ruffels, who could only shoot wide of the post.

Twelve minutes from time, Knight got another opportunity for Cambridge when Shayne Lavery, a replacement, drew him back.

Cox saved easily, but his poor effort lacked power once more. There was still time for him to net his side’s amazing winner to catapult the U’s into the top three for the first time all season.