Al-Hilal is Among CAF Nominees for The Best African Club 2025| Sudanow Magazine

Portsudan, (Sudanow)– The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled the list of the ten clubs nominated for the Best African Club Award 2025.

The shortlist includes: Al-Hilal (Sudan), Pyramids (Egypt), RS Berkane (Morocco), Simba (Tanzania), ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast), CR Belouizdad and CS Constantine (Algeria), Orlando Pirates, Stellenbosch, and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa).

Pyramids are considered the frontrunners for the award, having won last year’s CAF Champions League and recently clinched the CAF Super Cup against Morocco’s RS Berkane. Their consistent performances in continental competitions and regular presence in the latter stages of African tournaments further strengthen their case. CAF’s selection, however, came as a major surprise by excluding traditional giants such as Al Ahly (Egypt), Espérance (Tunisia), and Wydad Casablanca (Morocco).

Renowned sports journalist Mufti Mohamed Saeed told Sudanow: “Without doubt, Egypt’s Pyramids are the leading contenders for the 2025 CAF Best African Club Award, given their domestic achievements, continental triumphs in the league and Super Cup, and even their international success in the Asian Intercontinental Cup, where they remain strong competitors.”

He added that Al-Hilal’s inclusion among the top ten nominees was well-deserved for several reasons:
- Dominance in domestic competitions, winning the Elite League, Sudan Cup, and Super Cup.
- Topping the Mauritanian League as an “unofficial champion” while playing abroad due to the war.
- Reaching the CAF Champions League quarterfinals and edging closer to the group stage this season.
- Supplying more than nine players to the national team, which qualified for both CHAN and AFCON, and briefly leading the early rounds of the World Cup qualifiers before setbacks caused by the ongoing conflict.

Mufti emphasized: “CAF’s recognition of Al-Hilal reflects admiration for their achievements under extraordinary circumstances playing away from their iconic home ground, the ‘Blue Graveyard,’ and without the support of their massive fanbase, often called the team’s twelfth player. Regardless of the final outcome, Al-Hilal’s presence on this list, in the absence of some of Africa’s biggest clubs, is a source of pride for Sudan and its football.”

CAF’s decision to nominate Al-Hilal underscores the stature of the “Blue of Sudan” and the reputation the club has built despite playing away from home for three consecutive years due to security conditions. Forced to compete in Mauritania’s league, Al-Hilal not only won the title but also advanced in continental competitions, secured victories on foreign soil, and swept domestic tournaments organized in Sudan, such as the Elite Championship in River Nile State and the Sudan Cup in Port Sudan.

With a squad featuring numerous African professionals, Al-Hilal has become a showcase for continental talent and a proud representative of Sudanese football on the African stage.

Mauritanian sports journalist Yeslem Sidi, who closely followed Al-Hilal during their participation in the Mauritanian league, praised the club’s quality and potential: “As a system, in performance and in players, Al-Hilal is among the best clubs in Africa. In terms of quality and experience, they are not far behind Sundowns or Al-Ahly, though those clubs have greater exposure and mental readiness.”

Sidi noted that Al-Hilal faces challenges such as constant travel and playing outside Sudan, and stressed the need for squad depth: “The team performs strongly with its starting eleven but struggles when missing one or two key players, especially in defense and midfield. Competing at the continental level requires a deep bench and mental preparation for high-stakes matches. The CAF Champions League is long and demanding, requiring stamina and consistency.”

He concluded with optimism:
“Al-Hilal has gained maturity and experience. The time has come for them to reap continental glory. I believe they can soon lift the CAF Champions League trophy.”

Regardless of the final outcome of the 2025 CAF Best African Club Award, Al-Hilal’s inclusion among the top ten nominees is not coincidence. It crowns a steady path of success, resilience, and ambition. For Sudan, it represents a bright spot amid adversity, a morale boost for the club and its supporters, and a reaffirmation of Al-Hilal’s role as a flagbearer of Sudanese football in Africa’s fiercest competitions.

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