Sudanese sports journalist Hassan Bashir sharply criticized Al-Merrikh vice president Ibrahim Taha. He blamed Taha for what he called an utter failure in running the football team. Bashir said a club as big as Al-Merrikh was being run through WhatsApp and with an approach based on arrogance, stubbornness and defiance. An Egyptian website reportedly confirmed Al-Merrikh's qualification for the group stage from Juba Stadium, despite a farewell.