For the Sudanese people, the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 is more than just a football tournament. It has become a rare beacon of hope after Sudan secured a memorable victory over Equatorial Guinea.
The win was only Sudan’s second at AFCON in 18 matches across six tournament appearances since lifting the trophy in 1970.
Sudan’s campaign began on a difficult note. Despite strong backing from their supporters, the Falcons of Jediane were beaten 3-0 by Algeria in their opening match, underlining the challenge ahead.
They responded with resilience on Sunday, edging Equatorial Guinea 1-0 at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca to seal qualification for the knockout stage. The decisive goal came in the 74th minute via an own goal by defender Saúl Coco.
As the group phase of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations draws to a close, Sudan will face Burkina Faso on Wednesday at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca at 18:00, with the second automatic qualification spot at stake.
Sudan’s progress has brought joy to millions of Sudanese displaced by the ongoing civil war.
The conflict, which erupted nearly three years ago between the national army and its former allies, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has devastated the country. Tens of thousands have been killed, and more than 11 million people forced from their homes, in what the United Nations has described as "the world’s worst humanitarian disaster.”
The war has also disrupted domestic football. Sudan’s most successful clubs, Al Hilal SC and Al Merrikh, have temporarily relocated to Rwanda, where they are competing in the country’s top-tier league.
Al Merrikh midfielder Ammar Taifour, 28, was in a training camp in Khartoum when the conflict broke out in 2023.
"I just remember the surprise, the shock of the first gunshots. It was very surprising,” Taifour, who is part of Sudan’s AFCON squad, told AFP. "I just pray for peace and for everyone in this situation to be safe and make it out.”
Taifour said qualification to the knockout stage has given the players a renewed sense of responsibility.
"It’s a big honour,” he said. "But we also have big expectations. We want to go as far as possible and even win the tournament to make our country happy.
"Obviously, it’s a big responsibility. We all know the situation back home. We all have someone involved. Whatever we can do to bring happiness, we try our best.”
Sudanese community in Rwanda upbeat
In Rwanda, Sudanese fans have been gathering at bars and public screening venues across Kigali to follow their team’s AFCON matches.
Ahmed Taj Mohamed told Times Sport that Sudan’s performance in Morocco is "a big achievement for us.”
"We are happy to have a win in the tournament,” he said. "We hope this is just the beginning, and we believe we can achieve more.”
Fans from Sudan and across the diaspora have also travelled to Morocco to witness the team’s journey firsthand. Others, like Kigali-based supporter Ahmed Taj Haroun, rarely miss a match.
"It’s something we’ve been waiting for a long time, and we are enjoying the moment,” Haroun said. "Even if we hadn’t reached the knockout stage, we would still be happy. When our team is playing, it feels like there is no war back home.”
Another fan, Khalif Mohamed Ahmed Hamad, echoed the shared longing for joy and peace.
"We are searching for happiness. We need a victory against Burkina Faso, and God willing, it will come,” he said. "We are united behind the team and wish for peace for the entire Sudanese nation.”
Head coach James Kwesi Appiah says the stories he hears from supporters have been the most uplifting part of his job.
"What we know, with quiet satisfaction, is that when we are playing, the guns do get put down — maybe even for a week,” Appiah said.
"That Sudan are at AFCON is an extraordinary achievement. We haven’t been regulars at the continent’s showpiece, even in periods of relative peace, having failed to qualify for five of the past seven editions.”