Sudanese Football Clubs Find Refuge in Rwanda Amidst Exile

Sudanese Football in Exile

• ⚽ Al-Hilal, a major Sudanese football club, is currently in exile due to the ongoing war in Sudan, which began in April 2023.
• ✈️ The team has been forced to play the entire season away from home, having previously been in Mauritania and Tanzania before arriving in Rwanda.

Rwanda's Initiative to Support Sudanese Football

• 🤝 The Rwandan Premier League has invited Al-Hilal and another major club, Al-Merrikh, to join their league for the 2025-2026 season.
• 🌍 This unprecedented initiative is backed by the Rwandan Football Federation and the African Confederation, emphasizing the unifying power and humanity of sport.
• 💖 Rwanda aims to provide a welcoming environment for the Sudanese teams, making them feel at home.

Fan Support and Connection to Home

• 📣 On match nights in Kigali, the stadium echoes with cheers in Kenyan, Rwandan, and Arabic, uniting Sudanese refugees in Rwanda.
• 😭 Despite the joy of watching their team, fans are reminded of the ongoing conflict and the sadness of their families remaining in Sudan.
• 💻 Online broadcasts allow the voices of support to reach Sudanese fans who are still in their home country, maintaining a connection despite the war.