Finally, Al-Merreikh Wins Over Its Rival, Al-Hilal, Outside Sudan

Portsudan (Sudanow Magazine) Al-Merreikh team won the Khartoum derby by winning 1-0 against its traditional rival Al-Hilal team, in the 19th round of the Mauritanian Premier League, which was held on Wednesday, February 26, at Sheikho Bedia Stadium in the Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott.
The only goal of the match came in the 85th minute of the match by Al-Merreikh player Mubarak Abdullah. With this victory, Al-Merreikh raised its score to 29 points, while Al-Hilal's score froze after the loss at 31 points in second place, 6 points behind Nouadhibou, the leader.
The match witnessed two expulsions, as the referee showed the red card to both Yasser Awad and goalkeeper Fofana, so Al-Hilal team completed the match with nine players.
This is the first summit in which Al-Merreikh team outperforms Al-Hilal team outside Sudan, as Al-Hilal won in the previous four matches.

Due to the suspension of sports activities in the country, the Mauritanian Federation officially approved the participation of the two Sudanese football giants, Al-Hilal and Al-Merreikh, in the local league, in order to remain in the competition atmosphere, as they are participating in the African Champions League.

If either of them tops the final standings, it does not mean that they will win the Mauritanian league, but rather the title will go to the Mauritanian club with the highest points.

Since the rebellion of the dissolved support militia in April 2023, sports activities in Sudan have stopped, which forced Al-Hilal and Al-Merreikh to play in the Mauritanian league in order to remain in the competition atmosphere, and the national team moved outside the country in preparation for the African Nations and the African Championship for locals.

Earlier, the Sudanese Football Association announced its resumption of the Premier League football competitions in 4 cities, after the suspension of sports activities in Sudan for about 22 months, while Al-Hilal and Al-Merreikh play in the Mauritanian league and will join the elite clubs competitions inside the country later.

The Premier League Championship kicked off on Friday evening in 8 cities across Sudan through 4 groups, in Kosti and Rabak in White Nile State in central Sudan, Abu Hamad and Berber in River Nile State, Dongola and Karima in northern Sudan, and Gedaref and Kassala in eastern Sudan.

It is expected that Al-Hilal will meet its competitor Al-Ahly of Libya at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benghazi in the quarter-finals of the African Champions League.

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