Life returns to Sudan's stadiums!

In a long-awaited moment, football competitions have returned to Sudan after more than two years of hiatus due to the bloody civil war, which left the country in a state of displacement and chaos. A special one-month tournament is currently underway, featuring eight clubs, to determine Sudan's representatives in the continental championships for the 2025-26 season. Despite the deep wounds left by the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces since April 2023, which has resulted in the deaths of more than 150,000 people and the displacement of nearly 12 million, the local football association has succeeded in restoring some hope to the fans through the "Sudanese Elite" tournament, which is being held in the cities of Ad-Damar and Atbara, far from Khartoum, which continues to reel under the devastation. Al-Hilal and Al-Merreikh, the two historic Sudanese football giants, returned home after forced foreign participation, having previously been invited to play in the Mauritanian league due to the suspension of domestic sporting activity. Al-Hilal opened their campaign with a victory over Al-Mirghani Kassala, while Al-Merreikh overcame Al-Ahly Madani 1-0. Football fans are anticipating a highly anticipated clash between the two rivals in the seventh and final round of matches, scheduled for July 22. The tournament also includes Al-Zamala, Umm Rawaba, Al-Amal Atbara, Hay Al-Wadi Nyala, and Al-Merreikh Al-Abyad. The teams will play in a single-round league system, attempting to create temporary sporting competition amidst a challenging but resilient reality. On the national team front, the Sudanese national team has not played an official match at home since March 2023. However, it is preparing to participate in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and aspires to reach the World Cup finals for the first time in its history. While this goal may seem distant under the current circumstances, it remains present in the hearts of fans and players alike. Despite the pain and tragedies, football in Sudan is proving once again that it is not just a game, but a tool of resistance and a window of hope through which the country looks out to the world in search of stability and a return to normal life.