Al-Merreikh seek Confed Cup glory

By Emmanuel Muga
BBC Sport, Dar es Salaam

Pfister believes Sudanese football has great potential for growth

Sudanese club Al-Merreikh are seeking to emulate compatriots Al Hilal in reaching the lucrative group stages of this year's Caf club competitions.

Al Hilal are already through to the group stages of the Champions League while Al-Merreikh are currently in Tanzania for Sunday's Confederation Cup clash with Young Africans.

Al-Merreikh's German coach Otto Pfister says his strong side will sweep the Tanzanians aside both in Mwanza and at home in Sudan.

"I have a good team, which is a mixture of young and experienced players," he told BBC Sport.

"We beat ASO Chlef, one of the strongest teams in Algeria, and we have a good chance of eliminating Yanga in Khartoum," he added.

In their quest for continental glory, Al-Merreikh have recruited Paulino, a midfielder from Brazil, Nigerian striking duo Efaso and Edahu as well as Togo international Aballo and Malian defender Kone.

The club reached the fourth round of the Confederation Cup by beating ASO Chlef as well as Ascoton of Chad in an earlier tie.

Pfister, who led Togo at last year's World Cup, says Sudan has the best conditions in sub-Saharan Africa for developing football.

"Al-Merreikh and Al Hilal are now the biggest organised teams in black Africa," he said.

"They have the infrastructure, good organisation and passionate fans."

Al-Merreikh vice-president A.Z. Himmed said the private sector has contributed immensely to the development of football in the war-torn nation.

"We have a vibrant private sector with businessmen who are willing to sponsor football," he told BBC Sport.

"For instance, our club chairman Jamal Elwaly is a businessman and is the main financier of the team and we are able to give our players good salaries."

The rise in profile of Sudanese club football has had a good impact on the national team, which is well positioned to qualify for Ghana 2008 from Group Four.