Football fans in Saudi Arabia are gearing up for an electrifying clash as Al-Hilal takes on Al-Shabab in a crucial match of the Saudi League on Monday, April 21, 2025. The match will be held at the Kingdom Arena, with kickoff scheduled for 6:55 PM local time (5:55 PM Cairo time).
Al-Hilal currently occupies second place in the league standings, boasting 61 points from 28 matches. The team has had a solid season, with 19 wins, 4 draws, and 5 losses. On the other hand, Al-Shabab sits in sixth place, having accumulated 50 points from the same number of matches, with 15 victories, 5 draws, and 8 defeats.
Head coach Jorge Jesus is expected to field the following lineup for Al-Hilal: Yassin Bono in goal; a defensive line comprising Kalidou Koulibaly, Hassan Tambakti, Moteeb Al-Harbi, and Joao Cancelo; a midfield trio of Ruben Neves, Mohamed Kanno, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic; and an attacking trio featuring Salem Al-Dawsari, Malcom, and Philip Alexander Mitrovic.
The match will be broadcast live on SSC 1 and SSC 5, with renowned commentator Fares Awad providing the play-by-play on SSC 1 and Sekon Saeed on SSC 5. Fans can expect an engaging pre-match analysis featuring several Arab football analysts.
Meanwhile, on the African continent, another high-stakes match is set to unfold as Al-Ahly faces Mamelodi Sundowns in the second leg of the African Champions League semi-finals on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 7:00 PM Cairo time. The match will be aired on ON Time Sports and beIN Sports.
Al-Ahly's journey to this critical match has been marked by a series of impressive performances, but they find themselves in a challenging position after the first leg ended in a 0-0 draw in Pretoria. The team must secure a win to guarantee their place in the finals, aiming for a record sixth consecutive final appearance—a feat no team has achieved in continental competitions.
Al-Ahly secured their semi-final spot by finishing second in their group behind South Africa's Orlando Pirates. They advanced past Sudanese side Al-Hilal with a convincing 2-0 aggregate victory. Sundowns, also finishing second in their group, progressed after defeating Tunisia's Esperance.
However, Al-Ahly will face significant challenges due to the absence of eight key players for various reasons, including injuries. Notable absentees include Karim Al-Debes, Yahya Attia Allah, and Tunisian international Ali Maaloul, who will miss the match due to tactical decisions.
Coach Marcel Koller emphasized the importance of fan support, stating, "We need our fans today, and we want them to fill the stands and back the players from the first minute until the final whistle." Koller also acknowledged the pressure, noting, "We have not beaten Sundowns in our last eight encounters, but that means nothing now; what matters is winning today and advancing."
The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with approximately 70,000 fans expected to fill Cairo's International Stadium, creating an electrifying atmosphere.
As for the historical context, Al-Ahly has faced South African teams in 35 previous African matches, winning 12, drawing 12, and losing 11. The club has scored 41 goals while conceding 35. Khaled Bebo is the all-time top scorer against South African clubs, netting four goals.
In their head-to-head history, Al-Ahly and Sundowns have met 17 times, underscoring the significance of this matchup. The official lineup for Al-Ahly against Sundowns includes: Mohamed El-Shenawy in goal; a defense comprising Ashraf Dari, Rami Rabia, Yasser Ibrahim, and Mohamed Hani; a defensive midfield duo of Mustafa El-Ash, Marwan Attia; an attacking midfield featuring Imam Ashour and Ahmed Reda; and a forward line of Tamer Mohamed Tamer and Grady Shar.
Before the match, Koller’s record with Al-Ahly stands at 158 matches, with 108 wins, 32 draws, and 18 losses. His players have scored 305 goals while conceding 122, including some heavy defeats, notably a 5-2 loss to Sundowns.
Market values reveal that Sundowns hold a slight edge, valued at 35.48 million euros compared to Al-Ahly's 33.90 million euros. The stakes are high, as the rules set by the Confederation of African Football state that if the match ends in a tie, the teams will go to extra time, and potentially penalties, to determine who advances.
As the excitement builds for both matches, fans are eager to see which teams will emerge victorious and continue their quest for glory in their respective leagues and tournaments.
