By Angu Lesley Ngwa Akonwi
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
Three of Sudan’s most successful football clubs — Al Merrikh SC, Al Hilal SC, and El Ahli SC Wad Medani — have been officially cleared to participate in the 2025–2026 Rwanda Premier League, the Rwandan Football Federation (FERWAFA) confirmed in a statement on Thursday.
The decision comes at a time when Sudanese football continues to reel from the devastating effects of the war that has paralyzed sporting activity across the country for over a year. Many clubs have been forced to relocate in search of stability and safety, with Rwanda becoming the latest refuge for teams seeking to keep their sporting identity alive.
“This decision reflects FERWAFA’s continued commitment to promoting regional integration, competitiveness, and the global growth of football through stronger international collaboration,” the federation’s statement read.
Al Merrikh and Al Hilal, two of Sudan’s most decorated clubs, have endured a nomadic existence since the outbreak of conflict in their homeland. Both clubs first sought refuge in Tanzania, where they participated in regional tournaments, before moving their operations to Mauritania and Libya respectively. In Mauritania, Hilal Omdurman have emerged as one of the leading sides, competing strongly alongside FC Nouadhibou, while Al Merrikh have been involved in Libyan domestic competitions.
The addition of the Sudanese trio to the Rwandan Premier League is seen as both a humanitarian and sporting gesture — one that underscores Rwanda’s growing openness to regional collaboration and international football development.
Rwanda has in recent years built a reputation for its stability, organization, and vision for sports tourism. Hosting displaced Sudanese clubs adds another layer to its global outlook and enhances the competitive appeal of its domestic championship.
This phenomenon, however, is not unique to Sudanese teams. Across the football world, clubs have had to relocate due to conflict or instability. In Cameroon, for instance, Bafmeng United — originally from the Donga Mantung in the NorthWest Region — now play in Bamenda in the Mezam Division due to the impact of the crisis back home, while Ita Mbong FC from Nkambe have also shifted base to the Northwest capital too.
Even on the European stage, Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine have been forced to play away from their home city for several years due to the ongoing conflict in their region. The club once hosted Europa League fixtures in Krakow, Poland, highlighting how football continues to adapt and survive amid turmoil.
As Rwanda’s top-flight league prepares to accommodate the Sudanese sides, further details on scheduling, fixtures, and CAF approval are expected in the coming weeks.
For Al Merrikh, Al Hilal, and El Ahli Wad Medani, this new chapter offers more than just a competitive platform — it represents hope, continuity, and the unifying spirit of football.
“Football unites the world,” FERWAFA concluded in its statement, echoing a sentiment that resonates far beyond the pitch.
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