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When Sudanese player Ammar Teful first heard gunshots outside his hotel room, he shrugged and went back to sleep. He had a football game to play.
But gunfire broke out again hours later as gunmen surrounded a hotel in Omdurman, central Sudan, trying to seize control of the area. Teful, a 28-year-old Sudanese-American midfielder, did not realize that the shootings marked the beginning of a brutal war that would claim tens of thousands of lives and displace millions.
“We saw them from the windows around the hotel with guns,” Teifer told The Associated Press this week at the Africa Cup of Nations. “They were shooting at military aircraft. It was completely unexpected.”
Teful and his teammates, coaches and medical staff were trapped inside the hotel for more than two days due to a lack of food and water supplies. They left only after the Gunners retreated, with Taifo flying back to the United States, leaving his Sudanese career behind and looking for a new team.
His experience mirrors that of other Sudanese players who have been forced to flee the country, leaving behind their families in the war-torn country. African country, while trying to pursue a football career at the highest level.
cruel war
Sudan’s war has been called the world’s worst humanitarian crisis by the United Nations. The war broke out in April 2023 when a power struggle between the army and the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces erupted into open fighting, with mass killings and rapes, as well as racially motivated violence.
The conflict has killed more than 40,000 people, according to the United Nations, but aid groups say the true number is likely many times higher. More than 14 million people have been displaced as disease outbreaks and famine spread in parts of the country.
But the Sudanese national team, known as the “Eagles of Jediane”, persevered and qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations despite training abroad and playing every qualifying match. Sudan even defeated Ghana, depriving Africa’s top teams of their place in the four-week tournament.
symbol of hope
For many Sudanese, the team has become a symbol of hope and unity and a rare source of joy escaping wartime suffering. before their team’s first game Algeria in the capital of morocco RabatSudanese supporters broke out into celebrations that day, waving flags and honking car horns. Hundreds of people chanted “Sudan!” and danced as they made their way to the stadium and fan zones.
“The war has devastated many areas of the country and killed too many innocent people,” national team player Mohamed Abu Agra told The Associated Press. “Playing and winning games brings joy to the people of our hometown. Despite the hardships they are going through, we are trying to plant a seed of smile in their hearts.”
The players themselves face many challenges. With the league suspended due to the war, players have been forced to play abroad, often in neighboring Libya.
Sudan’s two biggest clubs, Al Merrikh and Al Hilal, compete in the Rwandan League. They had previously participated in the Mauritanian Championship, which was won by Al Hilal. Last year, the Sudanese Football Association organized a so-called “Elite League”, an eight-team tournament lasting less than a month.
Abu Wagra lost his uncle during the war.
“He was sick, but we couldn’t take him to the hospital because they were all aggravated by the fighting,” Abu Wagra said, fighting back tears.
Both players said the war was what motivated Sudanese players on the field. Whether at home or abroad, they carry the weight of their fellow countrymen’s struggles and feel more responsible than ever to represent Sudan.
Something to celebrate
Thomas O’Donoghue, a political and security risk analyst, told The Associated Press that Sudanese rallied behind their team because it was a symbol of the country’s apolitical nature. It can unite people and remind them of something worth celebrating, he said.
“But I don’t think the football team itself can push for a ceasefire or mediation between the warring parties,” O’Donoghue said. “This conflict has raged on for nearly three years and involves numerous domestic and international stakeholders, many of whom have financial interests in Sudan.”
Sudan lost their first Africa Cup of Nations match to Algeria and will hope to advance from the group with good results against Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea. But the team was also plagued by injuries, with three forwards, the captain and a full-back all missing.
“It’s a difficult situation. Sometimes I don’t like to talk about it, but I just have to deal with the guys that are available and how to best utilize them,” Sudan coach James Kwesi Appiah said after the defeat to Algeria.
Morocco’s players are determined to go as far as possible and dream of lifting the trophy.
“Before every game, I pray for the people of Sudan,” Taifer said. “They deserve happiness, and I will try my best to bring it to them.”
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AP Sports Writer Ciarán Fahey contributed to this report.
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AP Africa Cup of Nations: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations