Al-Hilal’s Quest for Three League Titles in Three Countries within Twelve Months
Al-Hilal Omdurman has become a trans-continental phenomenon, turning the displacement caused by the Sudanese civil war into a historic, globe-trotting victory tour. Currently sitting at the summit of the Rwanda Premier League, Al-Hilal is on the verge of a feat never seen in the professional game: being crowned champions of three different countries within a 12-month calendar.
The first chapter of this journey began in Mauritania during the 2024–25 season. When the Sudanese Premier League was suspended due to the conflict at home, Al-Hilal sought refuge in Nouakchott, joining the Mauritanian Super D1 as a guest participants. They dominated the league, finishing at the top of the table with 67 points and a staggering goal difference. While league rules regarding guest clubs officially designated the runners-up, FC Nouadhibou, as the “official” champions for continental qualification, Al-Hilal was recognized on the pitch as the Champion d’honneur, the undisputed best team.
As the summer of 2025 approached, a brief window of stability allowed for an organized competition back on Sudanese soil. The Sudanese Football Association staged the Elite League to crown a domestic champion and determine CAF competition representatives. Al-Hilal seized the moment with efficiency, culminating in a dramatic final round in July 2025. They faced their archrivals, Al-Merrikh, in a winner-takes-all clash. Needing a victory to snatch the crown, Al-Hilal won Al-Merrikh 4-0 to secure their 31st Sudanese title.
Combined with a Sudan Cup victory that same month, they completed a domestic double in the space of just a few weeks.
The final leg of this remarkable odyssey is currently unfolding in Kigali. For the 2025–26 season, Al-Hilal relocated again, this time joining the Rwanda Premier League. Under the guidance of manager Laurentiu Reghecampf, the team has treated the Rwandan top flight as their own personal playground. As of mid-February 2026, Al-Hilal sits at the top of the table, tied on points with local giants APR FC but holding a massive advantage. While APR has played 20 matches to earn their 38 points, Al-Hilal has reached that same total in just 17 games, leaving them with up to four games in hand.
What makes this achievement truly unprecedented is the context of their success. Al-Hilal is managing this while playing every single match away from their home stadium in Omdurman. They have simultaneously excelled on the continental stage, recently topping a CAF Champions League group that included South African powerhouses Mamelodi Sundowns. As they prepare for a quarter-final clash against Stade Malien, Africa watches to see if this resilient club from a war torn country can finalize a year of footballing history that may never be repeated.
