When the under‑17 women’s national soccer team from Sudan stepped onto the pitch at Casablanca’s Larbi Zaouli Stadium, the moment was as symbolic as it was modest. The squad, assembled after years of upheaval, made its first international appearance in years, drawing a modest crowd that included journalists, diplomats and a handful of local fans.
A Debut Amidst Conflict
The team’s debut came at a time when Sudan has been torn apart by a civil war that erupted in 2023, displacing more than 14 million people and halting virtually every public activity. For many of the players, a trip to a major stadium was their first experience of organized competition, and their inexperience showed in the scorelines: heavy defeats to Comoros that saw 30 goals conceded across two matches.
Coach Burhan Tia, who has been instrumental in scouting talent from the streets and informal fields, described the logistical nightmare of gathering the girls. He had to persuade parents to let their daughters miss school, arrange makeshift transportation through a shattered road network, and secure basic equipment that many of them had never owned.
The war’s impact extends beyond the field. The United Nations has labeled the conflict the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, and its effects are felt in every corner of daily life. Travel to training sessions often requires navigating checkpoints, dodging artillery fire, and coping with intermittent electricity that makes evening practices a gamble.
Online, the team faced a barrage of sexist commentary that ranged from mocking the scorelines to posting memes that read ‘go back to the kitchen.’ Such abuse reflects deep‑rooted cultural resistance to women’s participation in sport, a resistance that prominent preacher Abdulhay Yousif once warned could ‘undermine religion.’
Activists like Hala Al‑Karib have long advocated for greater investment in women’s athletics, arguing that sport can be a conduit for empowerment in a society where gender equality remains uneven. Their calls echo louder now as the team’s story illustrates both the potential and the perils of advancing female soccer in Sudan.
Looking Ahead
Despite the setbacks, the players and their supporters see the debut as a stepping stone. The United Nations, which has documented the broader crisis, sees the team’s participation as a small but significant sign of resilience that could inspire future generations.