Al-Hilal Omdurman have set Tuesday, 7 July, as the date for their players to report ahead of preparations for the 2026-27 season.
The Sudanese Premier League champions are seeking an early and organised start to a campaign expected to include both domestic and continental commitments.
The club’s initial training programme will be held in Kigali, Rwanda, with the reserve team coach Guy Bokassa due to oversee the early stages of the preparations.
Al-Hilal’s management have also instructed professional players to comply with the reporting date as the club moves to settle outstanding matters before the start of competitive action.
The decision to begin preparations in Kigali comes ahead of the East and Central Africa Championship, which will be held in Rwanda from 24 July.
The reserve side is expected to take part in the competition, with support from players drawn from the first-team group.
Reserve Team Takes Centre Stage in Rwanda
Bokassa has been appointed to lead the reserve team and has confirmed that he will arrive in Kigali after agreeing terms with the club.
His arrival is part of a wider restructuring process at Al-Hilal, who are continuing their efforts to complete the appointment of a first-team coach.
The club are also working through preparations for a general assembly scheduled for 24 July, when a new administration is due to be elected.
Al-Hilal’s decision to use Kigali as the base for the beginning of pre-season reflects their intention to prepare early for a demanding schedule.
The club will be looking to build momentum before their local campaign begins, while also planning for continental competition.
Abu Ashreen and Fares Given New Positions
Al-Hilal have also made changes involving two experienced figures, Ali Abu Ashreen and Fares Abdullah.
Rather than ending their association with the club after they fell out of the first-team picture, the management have chosen to retain them in new roles within the football structure.
Ali Abu Ashreen has been appointed as a goalkeeping coach, while Fares Abdullah has been given a position in the football sector.
The move follows a decision to include both former players in the reserve-team technical set-up after their playing involvement with the first team declined.
Fares Abdullah, who previously served as the team’s second captain, spent eight years with Al-Hilal. During that period, he was involved in several strong seasons before being left out of the squad in more recent campaigns.
Abu Ashreen also moved away from the first-team group after attracting criticism from supporters and the media. He subsequently featured with the reserve side before being handed his new coaching role.
Club Continue Wider Restructuring
The appointments form part of a broader series of changes at Al-Hilal as the club prepare for the new season.
The management have already secured Bokassa to lead the reserve side and are continuing discussions over the appointment of a head coach for the senior team.
Alongside the technical work, Al-Hilal are preparing for the general assembly and the election of a new administration later this month.
With players expected to report on 7 July, the club are attempting to put the key elements of their sporting and administrative plans in place before the 2026-27 campaign begins.
