Sudanese club Al-Merreikh have withdrawn from the forthcoming CECAFA tournament in Rwanda after deciding that a dedicated pre-season training camp would better serve their preparations for continental football.
The club confirmed on Thursday, 9 July, that it would not take part in the East and Central Africa competition, which is scheduled to begin in Rwanda on 24 July.
Al-Merreikh said the decision followed the recommendation of the coaching staff, who believe a specialised camp will provide a more suitable environment for the physical and technical work required before the new season.
The club have also set a clear performance requirement for head coach Darko Novic, with qualification for the African Champions League group stage made a condition for him to remain in charge.
Failure to reach the group stage would lead to the Serbian coach leaving his post, according to the club’s plans for the coming campaign.
CECAFA withdrawal confirmed
Al-Merreikh said it had informed the CECAFA federation of its decision not to compete in the tournament and had received a response accepting the withdrawal.
The club explained that its technical team preferred to focus on a structured training programme rather than use the regional competition as part of its preparations.
Officials believe the camp will allow the players to follow the planned fitness and tactical schedule more closely as the club prepares for its continental commitments.
The decision means Al-Merreikh will not travel to Rwanda to participate in the tournament itself, despite the competition being hosted in the country later this month.
Instead, the club will use Rwanda as the location for its pre-season camp, with the full delegation due to travel to Kigali in the middle of July.
Kigali camp planned after Port Sudan arrivals
Al-Merreikh have finalised their preparation programme in coordination with Novic and his coaching staff.
The club’s foreign players are expected to arrive in Port Sudan on 11 July before the squad and delegation leave for Kigali on 13 July.
The Rwandan camp is intended to prepare the team for the new season, with particular emphasis on ensuring that players reach the required physical condition and understand the technical plans of the coaching staff.
Al-Merreikh’s management are also close to completing their recruitment work.
The club have recently signed four foreign professionals and said the remaining work on the transfer file is expected to be completed within hours.
The arrivals and the planned camp form part of a wider effort to provide Novic with a squad capable of meeting the club’s continental ambitions.
Clear requirement for Novic
The club have set a high threshold for Novic’s continued employment.
Management have stated that he must guide Al-Merreikh into the group stage of the African Champions League if he is to remain in charge.
An exit in the preliminary rounds would result in the club ending his tenure.
The target underlines the importance Al-Merreikh place on continental progress and their desire to return to the group stage of Africa’s leading club competition.
Novic is in a notable position within the club’s recent history. He is the only coach to have remained with Al-Merreikh for two consecutive seasons over the past 20 years.
That continuity has not reduced expectations, however. The club’s withdrawal from CECAFA and decision to prioritise a controlled training camp show that the new season is being planned around one principal objective: reaching the Champions League group phase.
For Al-Merreikh, the coming weeks will therefore be about preparation rather than tournament participation, while Novic’s future will be closely linked to the outcome of the club’s continental campaign.
