Football Returns to War-torn Sudan as Elite Clubs Go Back Home
Sudan has been in the grip of conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces since April 2023, with more than 150,000 people killed and about 12 million uprooted, creating the largest displacement crisis in the world.
Among them have been the country's biggest clubs Al Hilal and Al Merrikh, who between them have won all but four of the championships since the league was created in 1965, according to Reuters.
Last season, the pair were invited to play in the league in Mauritania, on the other side of the continent, where they could remain active and moved their club structures to the West African country, where Al Hilal emerged as champions.
But they are both back in Sudan to take part in a tournament to decide which clubs will compete in continental club competition for the 2025/26 season.
Al Hilal were quarter-finalists in this year's African Champions League despite having to host their home games on neutral territory.
They were also weekend winners against Al Merghani Kassala in the first round of the Sudanese Elite Championship, which is being played at Ad-Damer, some 430km from the capital Khartoum, which has been badly damaged by the civil war.
Matches in the tournament are also being hosted in Atbara, which is 320km north of Khartoum.
There will be seven rounds of fixtures, and Al Merrikh also got off to a winning start over the weekend by beating Ahly Madani 1-0. Their derby against Al Hilal is set for the last day of competition on 22 July.
The other clubs competing are Zamalek, Umm Rawaba, Al Amal Atbara, Hay Al Wadi Nyala and Merrikh Al Abyad, who will all each play each other once.
Sudan's national team, who will compete in the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco at the end of the year and are also chasing a first-ever World Cup appearance next year, have not played a home match since March 2023.
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Asharq Al-Awsat
17 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Football Returns to War-torn Sudan as Elite Clubs Go Back Home
League football has returned to war-torn Sudan for the first time in more than two years with a one-month competition being organized for eight clubs to determine the country's champions. Sudan has been in the grip of conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces since April 2023, with more than 150,000 people killed and about 12 million uprooted, creating the largest displacement crisis in the world. Among them have been the country's biggest clubs Al Hilal and Al Merrikh, who between them have won all but four of the championships since the league was created in 1965, according to Reuters. Last season, the pair were invited to play in the league in Mauritania, on the other side of the continent, where they could remain active and moved their club structures to the West African country, where Al Hilal emerged as champions. But they are both back in Sudan to take part in a tournament to decide which clubs will compete in continental club competition for the 2025/26 season. Al Hilal were quarter-finalists in this year's African Champions League despite having to host their home games on neutral territory. They were also weekend winners against Al Merghani Kassala in the first round of the Sudanese Elite Championship, which is being played at Ad-Damer, some 430km from the capital Khartoum, which has been badly damaged by the civil war. Matches in the tournament are also being hosted in Atbara, which is 320km north of Khartoum. There will be seven rounds of fixtures, and Al Merrikh also got off to a winning start over the weekend by beating Ahly Madani 1-0. Their derby against Al Hilal is set for the last day of competition on 22 July. The other clubs competing are Zamalek, Umm Rawaba, Al Amal Atbara, Hay Al Wadi Nyala and Merrikh Al Abyad, who will all each play each other once. Sudan's national team, who will compete in the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco at the end of the year and are also chasing a first-ever World Cup appearance next year, have not played a home match since March 2023.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Arab News
Al Hilal showed Saudi league not just about money, says Koulibaly
'Everyone thinks that when we went there we only went for the financial argument but we showed that we are working over there,' Koulibaly said'We want to improve the league, we have improved a lot in two years'ORLANDO: Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal bowed out of the Club World Cup on Friday, after a 2-1 defeat to Fluminense, but after an unexpected run to the last eight they have left their mark on the global Inzaghi's team beat Manchester City 4-3 in the round-of-16, delivering the biggest upset of the tournament and one of the competition's most thrilling Hilal began their campaign with a draw against Spanish giants Real Madrid and they came through the group stage unbeaten with a draw against Champions League regulars Salzburg and a 2-0 win over six-times CONCACAF Champions Cup winners Pachuca of a squad that mixes local Saudi talent with international recruits, the newly appointed Inzaghi was able to take the team to the brink of the last former Napoli defender and Senegal international Kalidou Koulibaly, one of the expensively recruited foreign players, the performances at the first 32-team Club World Cup, were a message that the Saudi league is not just a lucrative retirement home for European and South American players.'We showed that the teams from Saudi are very strong, very powerful and we have a lot of good players. Everyone thinks that when we went there we only went for the financial argument but we showed that we are working over there,' he told reporters.'We showed it at this World Cup and every team who played against us can see that we have talent. We want to improve the league, we have improved a lot in two years,' he was one of the early recruits to the Saudi Pro League, after leaving Premier League team Chelsea to join the Riyadh club and he said he has witnessed rapid growth in the league.'I was there at the beginning and I see today it is very tough. We saw it last year and next year it will be tougher as more players are coming. The Saudi league is taking a nice place in the football world and we are happy because we are part of a very nice project and want to show all the world that the football is improving,' he who left Inter Milan and took charge of the team shortly before the tournament began, says he has been impressed with what he has seen from his players so far.'Clearly, for me and my staff, it was very important to be able to play in this World Cup. We realized what kind of team we have, the quality of our players, the pleasure with which they work every day. Now we are looking forward to a great season,' he said.
Saudi Gazette
3 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Inzaghi hails Al Hilal's fearless Club World Cup run
Saudi Gazette report ORLANDO — Al Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi paid glowing tribute to his players following their courageous run to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup, highlighting their fighting spirit and quality performances against world-class opposition. The Roshn Saudi League champions capped off a historic fortnight in the United States with performances that captured international attention — drawing 1-1 with Real Madrid in the group stage and stunning English powerhouse Manchester City 4-3 after extra time in the Round of 16. Al Hilal ultimately bowed out in the quarter-finals after a hard-fought 2-1 defeat to Brazil's Fluminense on Friday, but not without winning admiration for their grit and attacking flair. 'I congratulate my players on their heroic performance, both in tonight's match and in the tournament in general,' said Inzaghi, who only took charge of the club two weeks before the tournament began. 'They poured their hearts out on the pitch tonight. And, of course, we are sorry, but we need to be proud."The Italian tactician, formerly of Inter Milan, added: 'I am proud to coach Al Hilal and proud of all the players in the team. I congratulated them all, without exception, for the wonderful level they presented in the Club World Cup.'Al Hilal's campaign was marked by bold football and individual brilliance, most notably in their dramatic extra-time win over Pep Guardiola's City, a result widely hailed as one of the greatest in Saudi club football defender Kalidou Koulibaly, who scored in that victory, also praised the squad's resolve in the face of adversity.'Despite the significant absences like Mitrovic, Salem Al Dawsari, and Hassan Al Tambakti, we performed excellently and proved that Saudi football is advancing and competing globally,' he said. 'We are happy with what we presented, and we hold our heads high.'Koulibaly added: 'We've shown that we have a league capable of competing with the world's elite.'Al Hilal now return to domestic action with confidence sky-high, having proven their mettle on the global stage and under a new coach who has quickly inspired belief.
