Al-Merreikh’s preparations for their African Champions League campaign have raised concerns among supporters, with doubts growing over the team’s form and Serbian coach Darko Novic’s approach ahead of their opening match.
The Sudanese club will face Zambia’s Power Dynamos on 5 September at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda, in the first leg of the preliminary round.
Supporters are increasingly worried that Al-Merreikh could suffer another early exit from the competition after being eliminated at the same stage in each of the past three editions.
That concern is particularly significant because the club had previously established itself as a regular presence in the Champions League group stage. The recent run of early eliminations has therefore heightened pressure on the team to return to the latter stages of the competition.
Much of the anxiety has centred on Novic, with supporters divided over the 56-year-old’s performances and decisions since taking charge.
Friendly results add to supporters’ concerns
Al-Merreikh’s recent friendly matches have done little to ease those fears.
Novic has chosen to prepare for the continental campaign with matches against relatively modest Rwandan opposition after the team suffered a series of defeats against stronger sides, including a loss to the Rwandan Army.
The coach also turned down a proposal to face Al-Ahly Madani, opting instead for a fixture against AS Kigali on Thursday, 27 August.
Al-Merreikh are then expected to play Tanzanian side Azam in what is planned as their final preparation match before the Champions League campaign begins.
The decision to favour less demanding opposition has attracted criticism from some supporters, who believe the team needs to be tested more seriously before facing Power Dynamos in a competitive continental fixture.
The team’s inconsistent performances in those friendlies have added to the uncertainty surrounding the squad.
Coach remains confident despite criticism
Another source of concern for supporters has been Novic’s continued rotation of his players.
The coach has yet to consistently use the same starting XI during the preparation period, prompting questions about whether the team has developed enough cohesion ahead of its opening Champions League tie.
However, reliable sources cited by the winwin website indicate that Novic has now identified his preferred starting players.
The Serbian coach is reportedly expected to use the same core lineup in Al-Merreikh’s remaining two friendly matches as he prepares for the first meeting with Power Dynamos.
While supporters remain anxious, Novic has maintained a calm approach and remains confident that he can deliver his objective.
The coach has not appeared overly concerned by the criticism surrounding his work and believes Al-Merreikh can progress through the qualifying rounds.
His position, however, is closely linked to the club’s expectations.
The Al-Merreikh board has made reaching the Champions League group stage a condition for Novic to remain in charge. The requirement comes after the Serbian completed a year with the club.
Failure to reach the group stage could therefore have consequences for his future, adding significance to the upcoming tie against Power Dynamos.
Competitive football could help Al-Merreikh
Al-Merreikh could benefit from regular competitive football in Rwanda if they successfully negotiate the first preliminary round.
The Rwandan league is scheduled to begin in mid-September, meaning the Sudanese side would have the opportunity to play competitive matches while continuing its continental campaign.
That could provide a major advantage compared with previous editions, when Al-Merreikh struggled with inadequate preparation and a lack of competitive fixtures.
Those difficulties have been identified as contributing factors behind the club’s repeated early exits.
Progress against Power Dynamos would therefore give the team more than just another step towards the Champions League group stage. It could also provide the competitive rhythm that has been missing from its preparations in recent campaigns.
For captain Ramadan Agab and his team-mates, the immediate priority is to avoid another disappointing early elimination.
The first leg against Power Dynamos on 5 September will provide the first serious test of whether Novic’s preparations have been sufficient.
With the board demanding a place in the group stage and supporters expecting a return to the level of consistency previously associated with the club, the pressure surrounding Al-Merreikh’s Champions League campaign is already mounting.
