In what seemed like an impossible journey, an all-refugee soccer team traveled from isolated camps on the Chad-Sudan border to participate in the 2012 Viva World Cup in Iraqi Kurdistan.
These players have returned to their homes in the refugee camps in Easter Chad, close to the Darfur border.
2012 Roster
Refugee Camp:
Goz Amer, Eastern Chad
Coach’s Note:
Fast, Agile and with a keen eye for goal, Defenses will have to be on their toes when Yahya takes the field. He loves to beat players with his pace and could play an integral role in the United Attack.
Youssef Mohammed
Abdala
2
Refugee Camp:
Djabal, Eastern Chad
Coach’s Note:
A man mountain at the back for United! Youssef reads the game very well and uses his physical supremacy to win the ball and then distributes with great poise and accuracy.
Refugee Camp:
Touloum, Eastern Chad
Coach’s Note:
An old fashioned style center forward. Mubarak loves to score goals, he links play very well and adopts great positions in and around the box. Mubarak doesn’t need to be asked twice to take a shot on goal…and the permanent smile on his face, comes from years of finding the back of the net.
Abdulbassit Omer
Soulyman
4
Position:
Central Midfield/Right Back
Refugee Camp:
Djabal, Eastern Chad
Coach’s Note:
A wise head on young shoulders! Abdulbassit occupies the role of holding midfielder, though also possesses the versatility to fulfill a number of roles. He keeps things simple….sometimes the hardest thing to do!
Refugee Camp:
Mile, Eastern Chad
Coach’s Note:
Left footed lightning……Saddam has tremendous pace and an engine to match…attack minded and positive. Saddam always entertains in every game and never misses an opportunity to get forward.
Refugee Camp:
DJabal, Eastern Chad
Coach’s Note:
Elegant soccer player, who always appears to have time on his hands, silky with the ball at his feet and a calm, confident disposition that makes him a go to guy in times of haste!
Position:
Central Midfielder
Refugee Camp:
Oure Cassoni, Eastern Chad
Coach’s Note:
Can play anywhere across the midfield. Hard working and comfortable in possession of the ball, Mohamed has the ability to slow the game down at the most frantic of times!
Refugee Camp:
Bredjing, Eastern Chad
Coach’s Note:
Abobaker is great at breaking down the oppositions attacks and then possesses the intelligence and ability to quickly counter in the other direction. Strong and with a great engine, we will need Abobaker to be firing on all cylinders this summer.
Refugee Camp:
Treguine, Eastern Chad
Coach’s Note:
All action, tough attacking central midfield player who pushes the pace from the first to last whistle. Mohamed is not afraid to do the laborious running and tackling for the benefit of his teammates.
Refugee Camp:
Mile, Eastern Chad
Coach’s Note:
A quick and intelligent Left Fullback, Mohamed takes every opportunity to get forward and support the attack. He possesses a great left foot and can produce lethal crosses into the box.
Abdulhamid Mohamed
Gum
11
Refugee Camp:
Farchana, Eastern Chad
Coach’s Note:
Gentle Giant, Abdulhamid hails from Farchana Camp. Brave and imposing with strong distribution skills. Darfur United will need Abdulhamid to be at his very best for the Viva World Cup.
Position:
Central Defender/H. Midfield
Refugee Camp:
Treguine, Eastern Chad
Coach’s Note:
Another strong and elegant central defensive player who can provide the team with a number of options due to his versatility. Strong in possession and excellent with both feet, Mubarek can occupy a number of positions and will be a critical performer for the team.
Position:
Right Midfield/Right Forward
Refugee Camp:
Mile, Eastern Chad
Coach’s Note:
Industrious and strong on the ball, Mubarag provides a tremendous outlet for the Darfur United team. He is built in the style of an old fashioned wing player and likes to get down the line to deliver crosses and link play…..A very exciting individual.
Refugee Camp:
Goz Amer, Eastern Chad
Coach’s Note:
Born to lead. Sulieman is “Darfur United.” A lion hearted individual who bleeds the green and white. Will never let you down on and off the field and will give his all to represent for his people….We need more Sulieman’s in this world!
Refugee Camp:
Konoungo, Eastern Chad
Coach’s Note:
Cool under pressure and economical in possession. Mohamed rarely wastes a pass and provides an option across the back four as an extremely versatile defender.
Ismail Gamaradeen
Abaker
16
Refugee Camp:
Farshana, Eastern Chad
Coach’s Note:
Brave, Bold and always with a smile on his face. Ismail provide Darfur United with tremendous cover in goal and will not disappoint when called upon. A very popular member of the squad and a great team player.
Supporters:
These individuals and organizations made the creation of Darfur United possible and funded their participation in the 2012 Viva World Cup.
DarU Club Members
Martha and Logan Crow, Robert and Susan Rudick Walker, Shaun Tucker, Nick Ewing and Family, Katy Tucker, Glenn and Kelly West, Diane Koosed, Harry Andreas, Suzanne Murray Jones, Elizabeth Weber, Toni Hippeli, Mary Anderson, Jeremiah Forest, Zahara V. de Causin, Denver Jewish Day School, Edward Iantuono, Corey and Marcie Baim, Tiffany Rodriguez, Maureen Brown, John and Kathleen Goldingay, Ruth Yunker, Lisa Cheney, Debra Poneman, Shelley Bechtold, Alexander Manners, Gregory and Michael Ann Otto, Barbara Ann Layton, Michelle and Alan Franz, Catherine Coronoa, Linda Alvarez, Donald Collier, Scott Griffin, Julee McCarthy, Kalli Knight, Heather Mendoza, Kristy and Rodney Morris, Kari and Grayson Doody, Matthaeus Szumanski, Lisa Weaver, My Escuelita: Spanish for Kids, Luca Tomaro, Marja Way, Tom Bohinger, Susan Price, Andy Sehic, Davis Warren, Stephanie Maruyama, San Pedro High School Genocide Awareness Club, Shaun Tucker, David Veerman, Crystal Kakebeen, Splendido All-Stars, Farm Stand, Rock and Brew, Johnny Brooklyn’s Pizza, Shaun Tucker, Rebecca Devereaux, Fikri Alkhatib, Cesar Conto, A. Andy Sehic, Doreen Romney, Teresa Stauring, Joan Suzio, Marcia Prasch, Lisa Goldner, David Rosenberg, Dan and Kendal McDonald, Mark Rothe, Jeri Boshnick, Dylan Bartlett, Alex Rieg, Leo Perez, Martha Sumrall Boshick, Harriet Steinberg, Christine and Michael Maloney, Curtis Zook, John and Cynthia Bartlett, Mike and Lori-Ann Harbridge, Lisa and Gunter Rieg, Brent Bowen, Pam Bruns, Kathleen Scott, Brian Cleveland, Anush Avejic, Amelia Winslow, Susan Cottle, Leslie Hannigan, Richard Winslow, Christopher Henrickson, Eric Angel, Mark and Cory Sprague, Judith Baker, Barbara Scott, Senator John Kerry and Mrs. Teresa Heinz, Brentwood School Community
Contributor
Xara Sportswear, EVO Soccer, Susan and Teddy Sampson, Wilde Lake Middle School Community, RAD (Raising Awareness for Darfur) of ‘Iolani School, M.L.S. Works, Richard and Lana Rizika, Shauna and Dan Valenzuela, Reginald Knight, Stacey Martino, Patron Tequila, Brian Cleveland and Community, Susan Sampson
Player Sponsor
Abdulbassit supported by Kathleen and John Goldingay and Community, Mubarak Haggar supported by Brian Cleveland and Community
Honorary Assistant Coach
Genocide No More – Save Darfur, Pam Omidyar
Honorary Team Captain
Vacations for Less and Teresa Stauring, The Ross Family
Honorary Team Coach
Trisha and Dennis Fox of South Bay Sports, Tracy McGrady and adidas
Team Sponsor and Producer
Karen Martino, Aid Still Required
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