The Spirit of Sudanese Football Amid Conflict #

Before each training session, the Sudan men’s football team gathers, linking arms in solidarity. Their captain calls for a moment of silence, punctuated by three unified claps. This routine transcends location, embodying their singular focus on football.

Sudan is embroiled in a brutal civil war since April 2023, between the government-led national army and the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF). It’s estimated up to 150,000 lives have been lost and 14 million displaced. Football fields in Khartoum and Omdurman now serve as burial grounds amidst what’s deemed the most pressing humanitarian crisis globally. The scale of human suffering remains difficult to grasp, overshadowed by conflicts elsewhere.

Despite this turmoil, Sudan’s national team is forced into a nomadic existence, playing ‘home’ matches in South Sudan, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, and Libya. Remarkably, they have qualified for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and lead their group in World Cup qualifiers, aiming for their first appearance in the global tournament set for 2026 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

“It’s an honor to be the captain,” says Ramadan Agab. “Sudan is the motherland. It is everything. Trying to make the nation happy is an emotion I cannot express. Being constantly away is tough, yet we carry on for our careers and country.”

Two brothers attending a training camp expressed high expectations from the players, describing them as symbols of freedom and hope for 40 million Sudanese people. The team’s head coach, James Kwesi Appiah, reflected on moments of personal tragedy within the squad, recalling several instances of players losing family members during camp.

Football serves as a beacon of hope amidst adversity. After defeating Ghana 2-0 in Benghazi and securing a draw with Angola, Sudan clinched a spot in AFCON 2025, their fourth entry in history. Appiah, committed to achieving success either in AFCON or in World Cup qualifiers, leads an unbeaten squad in the latter, already eyeing a match against Senegal in March.

The conflict’s reach extends to families like Jawahir’s, who witnessed death and horror firsthand in El Geneina. Surviving an arduous journey to Chad, her family endures in refugee camps, drawing momentary reprieve through football when possible. Younger generations find solace in the game amidst a harsh reality with millions unable to pursue education.

With dire conditions in refugee camps across Sudan, malnutrition threatens over 700,000 children. Sexual and gender-based violence are rampant, contributing to an unparalleled humanitarian crisis. In the midst of captivity, football remains a lifeline for resilience and community. Even in perilous locations used as burial grounds, adults and children alike engage in the sport, drawing strength and unity.

In Karari district, initiatives like Resilience Through Football provide a semblance of normalcy and happiness. Observers follow the national team’s progress keenly, as they are the only source of joy for many. Amid the ruin, Sudan’s top football clubs, Al Hilal and Al Merrikh, continue playing internationally, with players temporarily migrating to the Mauritanian league.

Football transcends borders, uniting communities in the UK where refugee initiatives foster understanding through the sport. As communities welcome individuals like Abdulsalam, who courageously fled his home, the universal language of football aids in healing and rehabilitation, reinforcing resilience and hope within fractured lives.