Sudanese Elite League faces June 25 deadline amid uncertainty
- Hossam Ahmed
- Jun 21
- 1 min read
The Sudan Football Association (SFA) has officially informed clubs of the launch date for the Sudanese Elite League – the competition that will determine the country's representatives in next season’s CAF interclub tournaments.
In a letter sent to the clubs, the Federation announced that the Sudanese Elite League qualifying for CAF competitions is scheduled to begin on July 10, 2025. Participating clubs have been asked to confirm or decline their participation by no later than June 25.
In a notable shift from the usual structure, the SFF clarified that all transportation and accommodation costs will be borne by the clubs themselves.
This financial responsibility could prove to be a significant hurdle for some teams amid the ongoing economic challenges facing Sudanese football. Also there remains the question of the participation of the club's two giants, Al-Hilal and Al-Merrikh, who participated in Mauritania's top flight Super D1 as guest teams due to the war in the Sudan and have logistical concerns over their potential participation in the Elite League.
Adding to the uncertainty, the venue for the competition has yet to be finalized. The Federation stated that the league "may be played inside or outside Sudan."
This leaves the door open for a potential hosting arrangement in a neutral country, especially given the recent instability that has affected sports infrastructure and safety in Sudan. The Sudanese Premier League played a shortened season in 2025 without the participation of Al-Hilal and Al-Merrikh that allowed the nation's other top flight clubs to compete for a place in the Elite League.
