Friday, October 16, 2026 • The Al-Hilal delegation departed on Friday morning to Ethiopia, heading to Dire Dawa, after a final training session on Thursday afternoon in Kigali, in preparation for facing Sidama Buna on Sunday, October 18, in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League, with Adama Coulibaly out of the reckoning for the match (Source: Khartoum Sport, October 16, 2026) • Al-Merrikh launched its training in Conakry with a session in which coach Darko Novic focused on recovery and removing travel fatigue, in preparation for facing Horoya on Sunday, October 18, at the September 28 Stadium in the first leg of the same round (Source: Khartoum Sport, October 16, 2026) • Before Al-Hilal's departure, coach Josef Zinnbauer decided to move four players to the reserve team, with other elements to be called up after the two Sidama matches, while the management races against time to finalize a striker deal before the summer transfer window closes (Source: winwin website, October 15, 2026)
— Sports Desk
