War, exile, and a place in the last 16: Sudan’s AFCON defiance

During the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, fans noticed something striking. A map circulated showing how every part of Africa was represented by a country from that specific region, except East Africa, where there was a conspicuous empty space. Only Tanzania, located in the southern part of the CECAFA region, had qualified.

Nations such as Ethiopia, Sudan, and Kenya were nowhere to be seen. As a result, many asserted that East Africa was better known for long-distance running than for football.

Fast forward two years, and East Africa was represented by three nations at the Africa Cup of Nations: Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Among these countries, Sudan’s participation, and particularly their qualification for the last 16, drew widespread praise.

Sudan has been in the midst of a war for the past couple of years, a conflict described as having caused one of the worst humanitarian crises in history. An estimated 21.2 million people are facing acute food insecurity, while 9.5 million have been internally displaced.

The war between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) has effectively left the national team homeless. Since 2023, the team has traveled across Saudi Arabia and several African countries to play their matches. These countries include Libya, Morocco, and even South Sudan. Because AFCON and World Cup qualifiers cannot be played outside Africa, the team was unable to continue using Saudi Arabia, which had graciously hosted them and provided world-class hotels and training facilities free of charge.

Preparing for competitive football under such conditions was extremely difficult for the players. Some were directly affected by the war, with Sudanese players witnessing friends being murdered.

Due to the conflict, domestic football has been suspended since 2023, forcing clubs to keep competition alive by participating in foreign leagues. Earlier this season, Al Hilal, Al Merrikh, and Ahli Wad Madani were invited to compete in Rwanda’s top division.

Last season, both Al Hilal and Al Merrikh competed in the Mauritanian Premier League after the suspension of domestic football in Sudan. Al Hilal finished top of the table, while Al Merrikh placed sixth. However, Al Hilal were not eligible to be crowned champions because they are officially registered with the Sudan Football Association. Despite playing the full season in Mauritania, the club participated as a guest side, meaning league regulations reserved the domestic title for clubs registered within the host country. As a result, Al Hilal’s first-place finish did not translate into an official league championship.

Once the AFCON tournament began, there was special interest in Sudan. Despite facing difficulties in the group stage, they secured a place in the last 16 thanks to a 1–0 victory over Equatorial Guinea. With three points, Sudan qualified as one of the best third-placed teams in the competition. That win was their first AFCON victory since 2012, and only their second at the tournament since their title-winning campaign in 1970.

Although Sudan took the lead against Senegal in the last 16, they eventually lost the match 3–1. “We played against a very disciplined Sudan team who showed they got this far on merit. We needed to dig deep to come from a goal down to win,” said Senegal coach Pape Thiaw.

Sudan’s resilience amid such chaos and turmoil attracted admiration from across the world. It is fair to say that many neutral fans were hoping to see Sudan succeed. The players had set qualifying for the last 16 as their main target, and they achieved it.

“Playing and winning games makes our people at home happy. We try to put a little smile on their faces despite the difficulties they are going through,” explained midfielder Mohamed Abuaagla.

Sudan’s players showed the world that determination and resilience in the face of adversity can galvanize people toward their goals. While hopes remain for peace and a ceasefire in Sudan, the team will be remembered and praised for the unity and fighting spirit they displayed on the continental stage.