Sudan Premier League’s Elite Stage remains tighly contested following Al Hilal defeat

With four rounds complete, the Sudan Premier League’s Elite Stage is past the halfway point and seven of the eight teams remain firmly in contention to qualify for CAF interclub competitions for the 2025-26 season.

After a shortened Premier League season, six clubs qualified to join Sudanese giants Al Hilal and Al Merrikh in the Elite Stage after they participated in Mauritania’s top flight Super D1. The Elite League was created as a special competition to determine Sudan’s representatives in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.

Al Hilal, who emerged as champions of the Super D1 in Mauritania, got off to a bright start with two victories but have allowed the rest of the field to catch up. Following a scoreless draw with Al Ahli Wad Madani, a late goal from Al Alamal Atbara’s Hassan Ramadan handed Hilal their first defeat of the Elite Stage in a 1-0 result on Sunday.

Hilal’s failure to put themselves in a strong position leaves rivals Al Merrikh as the current leaders with a one-point advantage. Merrikh were held to a 0-0 draw by Hay Al Wadi on Sunday, leaving all qualification positions up for grabs.

Only one other goal was scored in the fourth round, which arrived in a 1-0 victory for Al Zamala against local rivals Al Merrikh El Obeid in the Kordofan Derby. The league resumes with the fifth round on Wednesday.

Sudan Elite League Table (4 games played)