Homeless Sudan club Hilal defy odds in CAF Champions League

After fleeing Sudan when civil war erupted, Al Hilal captain Mohamed Abdelrahman and his teammates have defied the odds to reach the CAF Champions League quarter-finals.

They will face title-holders Al Ahly of Egypt in Cairo on Tuesday, with the return match in Mauritanian capital Nouakchott on April 8.

Hilal and biggest domestic rivals Al Merrikh relocated to Mauritania after a power struggle broke out in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and a paramilitary force in the country.

The civil war has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced more than 12 million people, according to the United Nations.

Democratic Republic of Congo-born Hilal coach Florent Ibenge recalled the outbreak of war to the Mauritanian media recently.

“My family were with me in Sudan and we fled to France via Djibouti. It was a sudden, frightening experience,” said the 63-year-old, who has been at Hilal since 2022.

Desperate for regular match practice, the 30-time Sudanese champions accepted an offer to play in the Mauritanian championship.

They use the national stadium in Nouakchott to host Champions League matches, and reached the quarter-finals this season by topping Group A.

“We are extremely grateful to our Mauritanian brothers for allowing us to play in their national league,” Abdelrahman, a 31-year-old forward, told Mauritanian media.

“Playing in the Mauritanian championship has given us vital match practice for our African commitments.”

Hilal currently lie fourth, six points behind leaders Nouadhibou, but have four matches in hand. The Sudanese have won 11 matches, drawn four and lost two.

Abdelrahman first played for Hilal in 2010 as a 16-year-old and had stints with Merrikh and Algerian club Bordj Bou Arreridj before rejoining the ‘Blue