Al-Merreikh have confirmed the appointment of Moroccan football administrator Rachid Ghaflaoui as the club’s new sporting director, marking a decisive step in the Sudanese giants’ plan to modernise their sporting structure and reinforce their competitive ambitions.
The Khartoum-based club announced the decision as part of a broader strategy aimed at professionalising internal operations and drawing on proven North African expertise.
Al-Merreikh leadership believe Ghaflaoui’s profile aligns with their desire to build a more coherent, performance-driven model capable of delivering success at both domestic and continental level.
Ghaflaoui arrives with extensive experience across African and Middle Eastern football.
Throughout his career, he has held senior roles in Niger, Congo, Guinea and Bahrain, navigating different football cultures and organisational frameworks.
His most recent assignment came in Burkina Faso, where he worked with Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou, a historic club known for its emphasis on youth development and structural discipline.
His track record includes league titles, promotion campaigns and sustained competitive progress.
Beyond results on the pitch, Ghaflaoui has earned recognition for his administrative expertise, particularly during his time at Phoenix Academy, where he helped shape long-term sporting projects built on clear identity and professional standards.
Upon taking up his new role, Ghaflaoui outlined a vision centred on continuity, clarity and transparency.
He plans to align the playing philosophy of Al-Merreikh’s first team with that of the youth categories, ensuring a consistent footballing identity across all levels of the club.
This approach aims to ease player progression, strengthen squad depth and protect the club’s long-term interests.
He also emphasised the importance of transparent decision-making and structured planning, elements he considers essential for sustained success in modern African football.
By reinforcing internal processes and accountability, Ghaflaoui intends to create an environment where performance, development and ambition coexist.
For Al-Merreikh, the appointment represents more than a simple administrative change.
The club view it as a statement of intent at a time when African football increasingly demands organisation, strategic thinking and long-term vision.
Supporters now expect the new sporting director to translate experience into tangible results and guide the club towards renewed silverware.
As Ghaflaoui begins his work, Al-Merreikh enter a new chapter defined by reform, professionalism and continental ambition.
