Sudan Faces Critical AFCON Qualifier Against Angola

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign is set to go into a decisive phase as Sudan prepares to face off against Angola at the Martyrs of February Stadium. Scheduled for Monday, the match marks the conclusion of the qualification journey for the two teams in their quest for a place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, to be held in Morocco.

Angola, also known as the Black Sable Antelopes, have already secured their spot in next year’s tournament, leading Group F with an unbeaten record. Meanwhile, Sudan is in a tight race to clinch the second spot in the group, sitting three points ahead of Niger. The Sudanese side requires at least a draw in the upcoming clash to ensure their qualification.

Sudan’s recent 4-0 defeat to Niger outlined vulnerabilities that need addressing. Goals from Niger players, including a brace from 26-year-old Victorien Adebayor, boosted Niger’s chances. On the other hand, Sudan’s last success came against Ghana, a match where they claimed a 2-0 victory through goals from Eldin Yousif and Ramadan Agab.

Angola, holding a current record of four wins and one draw, encountered a minor stumble when they drew 1-1 against Ghana in Luanda. Despite this, Angola’s consistency has been noteworthy, including victories over Sudan and consecutive wins against Niger.

Key players for the Sudanese team include Mohamed Abdelrahman, who is expected to lead the attack, while coach Appiah may rely on a defensive lineup to withstand Angola’s robust attack. Angola will likely leverage their attacking strength, featuring Pedro Gonçalves and Christouher Buhanga, as they aim to maintain their unbeaten run.

The match will also see Dixon Adol “Bond” Okello from Uganda spearheading the safety and security measures at the 45,000-seater stadium. Meanwhile, another pivotal regional event will be the Group C clash between Egypt and Botswana in Cairo, where Egypt aims to extend their unbeaten streak.