THREE Sudanese Football Clubs Have Been Granted Permission To Compete In Rwanda’s National League This Season, Allowing Them To Continue Playing Despite The Ongoing Internal Conflict That Has Crippled Sports Activities In Sudan.
The Decision Offers A Temporary Lifeline To Sudanese Football, Which Has Been Severely Disrupted Since Fighting Erupted Between The Sudanese Army And The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) In April 2023.
The Conflict Has Led To A Devastating Humanitarian Crisis, With Over 150,000 People Reported Dead And Nearly 12 Million Displaced—Making It One Of The World’s Largest Refugee Crises. Although Some Citizens Have Started Returning Home After The Sudanese Army Regained Control Of The Capital, Khartoum, Much Of The City’s Sports Infrastructure Remains Destroyed, Forcing Clubs To Operate Abroad.
Last Season, Al Hilal And Al Merrikh, Two Of Sudan’s Biggest Teams, Were Temporarily Hosted In Mauritania To Keep Their Competitive Edge. This Year, They Will Join Al Ahli Wad Madani In Participating In Rwanda’s Domestic League, According To The Rwanda Football Association (FERWAFA). The Move Is Seen As A Show Of Solidarity Within African Football Amid Sudan’s Ongoing Turmoil.
Meanwhile, Libya Continues To Serve As The Home Base For Sudan’s National Football Team, Which Is Preparing To Take Part In The Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) In Morocco Later This Year. The Team Has Not Played A Home Match Since March 2023 Due To The Ongoing Instability In The Country.