Sudan’s Al Hilal SC secured a hard-fought 1–1 away draw against Morocco’s RS Berkane in a dramatic first leg of their CAF Champions League quarter-final clash played on Saturday night.

Al Hilal stunned the home crowd early when Omar Abdel Rahman opened the scoring in the 13th minute, handing the Sudanese giants a crucial advantage at the Municipal Stadium of Berkane.

The visitors maintained their lead through the remainder of the first half despite sustained pressure from the Moroccan side.

Both teams created several chances in an entertaining opening period, but Al Hilal went into the break with their slender lead intact.

After the restart, Berkane intensified their attacking efforts in search of an equaliser, pushing Al Hilal deeper into their own half as the match grew increasingly tense and physical.

The contest eventually erupted into a chaotic affair, with the referee issuing eight cards in total, including one red card.

Berkane’s persistence finally paid off deep into stoppage time when they were awarded a penalty seven minutes into added time.

Al Hilal defender Steven Ebuela was judged to have committed a foul inside the penalty area and was sent off for the challenge.

Mounir Chouiar stepped up and calmly converted the late penalty to rescue a dramatic draw for Berkane.

The decisive second leg will be played on March 22 at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali. The winner will advance to face either reigning champions Pyramids FC or Morocco’s Raja Casablanca in the semi-finals.