Rafael Nogueira
Sudan’s Afcon journey offers hope amid civil war
Sudan’s participation in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) is “bringing hope” to the nation’s people amid its ongoing civil war, according to forward Abobaker Eisa.
The country has been embroiled in what the United Nations describes as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis since April 2023. A power struggle between the army and the paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Force (RSF), has led to widespread devastation. Over 150,000 people have been killed, and more than 12 million have been forced to flee their homes. Reports of genocide in the western Darfur region and widespread famine have compounded the tragedy.
Despite the turmoil, Sudan’s national football team has managed to qualify for Afcon, marking only their fourth appearance since 1976. The conflict forced the team to play all their qualifying matches away from home, adding to the challenges they faced.
In the group stage, Sudan will face Algeria (24 December), Equatorial Guinea (28 December), and Burkina Faso (31 December). For Eisa, each match is a “big deal” and a potential distraction for those suffering in Sudan.
“There’s a lot of bad things going on in Sudan. As players, we know how much of a big deal football can be to our nation,” Eisa told. “There’s not a lot of smiles at the minute, so we’re trying to use football as a way to get their minds off [the war]. Even qualifying for the Afcon and having fans there to cheer us on – the fact that we’re there is already bringing hope.”
Eisa, who has played for several English Football League clubs including Scunthorpe United, Bradford City, and Grimsby Town, currently plays for Thai side Chonburi. Even his teammates who represent Sudanese clubs Al-Hilal and Al-Merrikh are now playing abroad, with the political instability forcing these clubs to relocate first to Mauritania and now Rwanda.
Despite being away from Sudan, the squad’s minds are never far from the war. Eisa describes the situation as both “disheartening” and a source of “strength.”
“It’s difficult to block [the war] out. Some people’s families are still there, a lot of people’s families have been affected by this,” said Eisa. “Obviously, you speak together [about] what’s going on, and how we could help, and donating wherever we can. Knowing that we could do something for them, it gives us strength. At the same time, it’s disheartening at times – you can only do so much.”
He added, “As long as we go out there and fight for what’s ours, I think everyone will be happy.”
Football, in this context, becomes more than just a game. It is a beacon of hope and a temporary escape from the harsh realities of war.
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