Sudan's U17 women's football team has defied the odds to make a historic return to international competition, participating in Olympic qualifying matches in Morocco despite the devastating civil war that has ravaged their homeland. Comprised largely of teenage girls who have fled conflict or never experienced organised sport before, their presence in Casablanca is a poignant testament to the power of resilience and determination in the face of unimaginable adversity.
The team's hastily assembled squad, with limited training behind them, faced a formidable challenge in their qualifying fixtures for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics against Comoros. They suffered heavy defeats, conceding 30 goals across two matches, but their participation holds profound significance for Sudan's women's football. It marks the country's first international women's football appearance since the outbreak of civil war in 2023, a conflict that has decimated the nation's sporting infrastructure and displaced millions.
For the Sudanese Football Federation, fielding this young team was crucial to maintaining their place in international qualifiers and safeguarding women's football within the country. Manal Ali Bushra, head of the women's soccer committee, highlights the dedication of the players, many of whom travelled long distances for training and are separated from their families. The federation is reportedly working on infrastructure projects in safer regions of Sudan, including a planned sports city and stadium renovations, though budget details for the women's programme remain undisclosed.
Assembling the squad was an immense task for veteran coach Burhan Tia, who scoured schools across Sudan and even extended his search to neighbouring Egypt, where many Sudanese families have sought refuge. Ten players were recruited from teams and academies in Cairo, with the remainder drawn from various Sudanese cities. Tia expresses regret at being unable to recruit from conflict-affected areas like Darfur and Kordofan, renowned for producing athletes, due to players lacking identification documents and the collapse of transportation networks.
The team's challenging journey unfolds against the backdrop of what the United Nations has described as the 'world's worst humanitarian crisis'. The civil war, which erupted in 2023 from a power struggle between the military and the Rapid Support Forces, has led to over 40,000 deaths and displaced more than 14 million people. Widespread famine, disease, mass killings, rape, and ethnic violence continue to plague the nation, making the team's ability to compete a remarkable testament to resilience.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office currently advises against all travel to Sudan due to the ongoing conflict and extremely volatile security situation. British nationals remaining in Sudan are advised to leave if it is safe to do so, underscoring the gravity of the humanitarian crisis gripping the nation.