Al-Hilal SC, Sudanese football, the Omdurman derby and one of African football’s most extraordinary stories of survival are at the center of this episode of Why We Love This Club.

Chris Horwedel traces Al-Hilal from its 1930 founding under colonial rule to becoming Sudan’s most successful league club, with 31 national championships, a famous blue-and-white identity and generations of supporters centered around the Blue Jewel in Omdurman.

The episode explores legendary figures like Ali Gagarin and Haitham Mustafa, the fierce rivalry with Al-Merrikh, and Al-Hilal’s repeated pursuit of the African Champions League after reaching the continental final twice.

But the heart of the story begins after war erupted in Sudan in 2023. Forced from Omdurman, Al-Hilal became a club in exile—training, living and competing across Africa while players dealt with displacement, separation and loss. They later entered the Mauritanian league, reached the Champions League quarterfinals and then won the 2026 Rwandan championship, despite remaining officially affiliated with Sudan.

Al-Hilal’s story is about more than trophies. It is about an institution carrying Omdurman with it, even when home is temporarily out of reach.

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Check out the show's website for an interactive map with all current teams, and suggest a club.

If you enjoyed this show, you may like these other soccer podcasts by Chris.

The Beautiful Game: Unfiltered

The Underdog Football Show

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