War-Torn Sudan’s Prodigal Premier League Returns to Cheers

In the Sudanese town of Berber, located hundreds of kilometres from the active frontlines, the atmosphere inside a modest football stadium erupted with energy. As fans leapt to their feet, the roar shook the stands—a rare moment of joy in a nation gripped by relentless war.

“It’s a wonderful feeling, it’s indescribable, to see this beautiful return,”
exclaimed local supporter Ahmed Taj, speaking to AFP during the penultimate Sudan Premier League match between newly-crowned champions Al-Hilal and Hay al-Wadi.

“We’re so happy to see Al-Hilal come back, to see Sudanese football come back, after everything we’ve lost in the past two years.”

Football Amidst a Humanitarian Crisis

Since April 2023, conflict has ravaged Sudan as the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue a brutal war that has devastated lives and infrastructure:

Yet for a few hours each week in July, the country seemed to breathe, momentarily escaping the horrors of war through the revival of the Sudan Elite League.

A League Reborn in River Nile State

The first Sudan Elite League season in two years was staged in River Nile State, approximately 300 kilometres northeast of Khartoum. Matches were held in the relatively calmer cities of:

• Atbara
• Berber
• Al-Damer

Though the pitches bore the scars of neglect—patches of dry, uneven turf—the atmosphere in the stands was charged with hope.

Even though Atbara’s power stations and army installations were struck by drones as recently as last month, the area remains more secure than the capital.

Season Finale: A Battle of Giants

The league reached its dramatic climax on Tuesday, as traditional powerhouses Al-Hilal and Al-Merrikh faced off in a title-deciding showdown.

A Welcome Homecoming

For Mohamed Abdel Rahman, captain of Al-Hilal and a key player on the national team, the chance to play in Sudan—even if not in Khartoum—was deeply moving.

“We’re so happy to be home, playing in front of our fans,”
he shared with AFP before kick-off against Hay al-Wadi last Wednesday.

Previously, both Al-Hilal and Al-Merrikh had been forced to compete abroad due to security concerns, including a stint in the Mauritanian league.

Earlier this year, Al-Hilal advanced to the quarter-finals of the African Champions League, their victories celebrated with street festivities across Sudan.

“We’re giving our all to make our fans happy—to offer some joy,”
Abdel Rahman added.

A League Divided by War

Despite the celebrations, the championship also served as a grim reminder of the war’s divisions. Only eight teams took part in this year’s league—down from the usual 24. All but one were based in cities under army control.

The exception, Hay al-Wadi, hail from Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, which remains under RSF control and is frequently targeted by military airstrikes.

The Darfur region has been one of the war’s most violently afflicted areas, with displacement camps besieged, bombed, and burned.

“I can’t even believe it… it’s an indescribable feeling to play again,”
said Jibril Mohamed Nour, Hay al-Wadi’s captain and a native of Darfur.

“But we miss our fans, we miss our hometown. We can only hope we’ll be able to go back soon.”

His team had been training in Saudi Arabia, returning to Sudan just weeks before the league commenced.

A Vision for the Future

Despite limited facilities and some players being out of practice, hope runs high for Sudanese football.

“The fans are here, the players are here… as long as we can play and there’s a system in place, the infrastructure—everything can be fixed,”
said Shawky Gharib, the league’s only foreign manager and current coach of Al-Merrikh.

Mohamed Abdel Samee, a board member of the Sudan Football Association, expressed immense pride:

“We insisted on holding the championship,”
he said.

“As soon as it wraps, we’re planning next season, when we hope every team will be able to play in their hometown.”

The Shadow of War Remains

However, the joy of football cannot mask the ongoing tragedy. There remains no end in sight to the war, and even in army-held regions, millions face hunger and a lack of basic services.

Still, the return of Sudan’s Premier League has offered a vital symbol of endurance—a testament to the spirit of a people refusing to surrender their dreams amidst despair.