AFCON 2025: Sudan Turn to Football as a Weapon for Peace During Ongoing Conflict

Sudan forward John Mano’s eyes burn with intensity as he recounts the murder of his best friend, Medo, a victim of the country's brutal civil war.

Medo is one of over 150,000 people killed since the conflict erupted in April 2023. Mano, who made his national team debut just months before the war began, explains that his friend had travelled to Wadi Halfa, near the Egyptian border, to secure documents to flee the country.

Speaking to BBC Sport Africa from the team's hotel in Morocco, the 24-year-old recalls the tragic turn of events.

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"They didn't even give him a chance. They shot him more than 20 or 25 times," Mano said, his voice steady despite the horrific memory.

"I think they forgot some certificates. It was so important for the family and he had to go back. He went to his house and took everything."

"They caught him. They said, 'Are you working with the army?' He just wanted to explain. But they started shooting him."

The power struggle between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF) has created what the United Nations calls the world's largest humanitarian crisis.

Over 12 million people have been displaced, with widespread famine and reports of genocide in the Darfur region. Amid the chaos, football has been decimated.

Stadiums, like Al Hilal's 'Blue Jewel' in Omdurman, lie in ruins, and the domestic league has been suspended. The nation's top clubs, Al Hilal and Al Merrikh, now compete in the Rwandan league after a season in Mauritania.

"We don't have a league, we don't have anything, but we can't complain because people in my country, they can't eat, they don't have food," says Mano.

Despite these immense challenges, including playing 'home' qualifiers in neutral venues, Sudan has qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) for only the fourth time since 1976.

Ghanaian coach Kwesi Appiah, who took charge in September 2023, has faced the difficult task of motivating players without guaranteed pay and consoling them through personal loss.

"We try to let players know, even though they're gone, [they're] looking at you and what you can do now for the nation," the 65-year-old explains. "I need to give the player maybe two or three days off, to make sure he comes back to himself."

Many players, like Mano, have found refuge in foreign leagues. Now with Al Akhdar in Libya, the former Al Hilal star carries the memory of his own terrifying encounter before escaping Sudan.

"The rebels used to stop us and make fun of us on the road," he recalls. "They'd say things like 'You play for Al Hilal, what is Al Hilal? I support Al Merrikh. I can kill you right now, and nobody will question me.' I cannot forget this story until I die."

In the face of national division, Coach Appiah and captain Bakhit Khamis have worked to foster a family atmosphere within the squad.

"Football is the only relief we have as Sudanese people," says Khamis, a left-back who also plays in Libya. "It is the only thing that can make us happy and help us forget the pain and suffering."

The captain believes the shared struggle has forged an unbreakable bond. "The feeling of unity becomes part of you; you cannot avoid it. Our goal has become stronger, Sudan first, Sudan above everything. This unity is one of the best things that has happened to us."

Appiah’s leadership has been instrumental, inspiring the team to a memorable qualifying victory over his home country, Ghana. After the match, an ambassadorial delegation shared news that soldiers back home were celebrating the result.

"At least for one day, they put their guns down," Appiah says, expressing his hope that the war will 'cease totally' so that "everybody can come back home happily."

Footballer Mano has described the sport as a 'weapon' in the fight for his country, expressing hope that an Africa Cup of Nations victory could bring about positive change back home.

"I believe that, if by grace we are able to win it, you never know," he stated, alluding to the potential impact of a championship title.

While wishing for a permanent end to the conflict, Mano promised that the 1970 champions would give their all in Morocco for the supporters who face immense hardship.

He concluded with a powerful message: "We're trying to free our country the football way."