Former Baroka FC captain Gerald Phiri Jr has reflected on his stay in war-ridden Sudan which left him terminating his contract at Al-Hilal Club. Phiri Jr spent two seasons at the Sudanese giants.
The move to Sudan came after a successful stint at Baroka who were campaigning in the DStv Premiership at the time. He was part of the Al-Hilal side that took on Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League group stages in 2022 and 2023.
However, his stay at the club was cut short due to the civil war that began in April 2023.
FORMER BAROKA FC STAR REFLECTS ON HIS TIME PLAYING FOR AL-HILAL CLUB.
“I was enjoying my time in Sudan. It was good, I never thought I would end up playing in a country like that with so much history and very cultural,” he told FARPost.
“It was also good for me to reflect on myself as well apart from football but other aspects of life. Football-wise I learnt a lot, especially in the Champions League that no game is easy especially when you play away. People who have played in the Champions League can attest to that and that made me strong.”
HOW THE TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE IN SUDAN LED TO GERALD PHIRI JR TERMINATING HIS CONTRACT
“I couldn’t return [to Sudan] because of war. For my safety I just decided to terminate my contract,” he said.
“It was a mutual agreement because the war has not ended. So I wouldn’t have been able to do anything else. I just had to stay there or stay at home.
“The last few days were very traumatic because I have never been in that situation. It’s things that I see in the movies that I see in real life. It was very traumatic and I also couldn’t get out of Sudan because the borders were closed,” explained Phiri Jr who has also played for Bidvest Wits, Platinum Stars and Ajax Cape Town.
“So it was also difficult for the safety, but it’s God’s grace that most of us managed to get out. It was very traumatic and something that I will never forget in my life because no one wants to see war or people dying.”
The 30-year-old recently returned to South Africa and seeking a move back to the Premier Soccer League.
RELATED STORY: Al-Hilal star Gerald Phiri: ‘We’ll respect Sundowns off the field only’
