Sudan revived their hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco after defeating Equatorial Guinea 1–0 on Sunday at Casablanca’s Mohammed V Stadium in Group E action. The victory marks the “Falcons of Jediane’s” first win on the continental stage in nine matches and their first since overcoming Burkina Faso in the 2012 group stage ending a 13-year drought.
In a tightly contested and physical game marked by frequent stoppages and injuries, Sudan managed to edge past Equatorial Guinea thanks to an own goal by Saúl Coco in the 74th minute. The win also carried deep emotional significance, as the nation continues to endure a devastating civil conflict since April 2023. For many Sudanese fans, this rare moment of triumph offered a sense of pride and unity, amplified by the vibrant atmosphere created by Sudan’s supporters in Casablanca.
The first half was slow-paced, featuring limited chances. Sudan’s Mohamed Issa forced an early save from goalkeeper Jesús Owono in the 4th minute, while Equatorial Guinea’s Machín came close at the other end in the 13th. The half was disrupted multiple times due to player injuries, including a concerning health scare for Sudanese goalkeeper Munjid Al-Nil, leading to an extended period of added time.
The pace improved slightly after the break, with Equatorial Guinea applying pressure through Emilio Nsue and Iban Edu On Do, who narrowly missed the target before unsuccessfully appealing for a penalty. But it was Sudan who eventually found the breakthrough Coco’s own goal sealing three vital points for the 1970 continental champions.
Sudan’s Ghanaian coach, James Kwesi Appiah, praised his players for their determination: “It was a very tough game, but we controlled the rhythm and fought hard to secure this important victory, which gives us great motivation ahead of our next match against Burkina Faso.”
With the win, Sudan climbed to third in Group E with three points, awaiting the result of the later match between Algeria and Burkina Faso, both also on three points. Equatorial Guinea, meanwhile, suffered their second consecutive defeat and remain without a point.
A Historic Milestone
The result marks Sudan’s first Africa Cup of Nations victory in nine matches (four draws, four losses) and only their second since their famous 1970 triumph. It is also their first-ever win against Equatorial Guinea after losing both previous encounters during the 2019 AFCON qualifiers.
Fans and sports figures across the Arab world celebrated the moment on social media, applauding the team’s fighting spirit and dedication. Midfielder Mohamed Issa, who delivered an outstanding performance, was named Player of the Match.
For Sudan a nation with a proud footballing past but limited recent success this victory represents more than just three points. It rekindles belief in a national team eager to reclaim past glory and keep their hopes alive, especially with the tournament’s format allowing the best four third-placed teams to qualify for the round of 16.
