Sudan’s Afcon Qualification Offers Hope Amidst Civil War

Sudan’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers have been hosted in the neighboring nations of South Sudan and Libya. Amidst the ongoing civil war in Sudan, the nation’s football team has provided a beacon of hope to its people through their unexpected qualification for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). The hostilities, which commenced in April last year between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces militia, have displaced more than 11 million individuals from their residences. According to aid organizations, this situation has resulted in the planet’s most severe humanitarian crisis, where preventable diseases and starvation are the primary causes of mortality throughout the country. Nevertheless, despite these challenging circumstances, including being compelled to play their home matches outside Sudan and the suspension of the national league, the Falcons of Jediane are set to represent their country at the 2025 Afcon tournament in Morocco. Forward Abobakar Eisa conveyed to Newsday on the BBC World Service, “It’s something that’s consistently in our minds. Our families are still affected by the war.” He added, “The manager always says: ‘When you’re putting on the shirt, you don’t just do it for your family and yourselves. You do it for everyone else’s family, and everyone in Sudan – for your whole country – to lift their spirits up.'” Eisa further stated, “We’re doing that through football, which is a beautiful thing. We know we’re playing for a much bigger cause.” Russia vetoed a proposed United Nations Security Council resolution that sought a ceasefire in Sudan, an action British foreign secretary David Lammy characterized as a “disgrace.” Concurrently, a recent assessment indicates that the death toll since the conflict’s inception is considerably greater than earlier figures, with United States special envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello noting that certain projections suggested as many as 150,000 fatalities. Eisa recounted, “[My] family had to migrate to Egypt because you could walk out in the street and there’d be gunshots, or there’d be gunshots flying through windows or walls.” He continued, “It’s very, very dangerous. We’re hoping it gets settled quickly, so people can find peace.” Eisa concluded, “It’s painful to speak about these things, but you have to think that things are going to get better.” Sudan has received strong support during their ‘home’ matches throughout the 2025 Afcon campaign. When the 2025 Afcon qualifying draw took place in July, Sudan, holding the 110th position globally, was designated as the third seed in their group. Nevertheless, securing four points from two matches against Ghana, four-time Nations Cup champions, last month positioned the team, led by former Black Stars player and manager Kwesi Appiah, just one point shy of advancing to the finals. Appiah’s squad suffered a significant 4-0 away loss to Niger last week, yet Eisa reported that the team maintained an optimistic outlook approaching their concluding fixture against Angola, who had already secured qualification, on Monday. The 28-year-old, who plays club football in Thailand, clarified, “The Niger game took us by surprise.” He added, “On the way home, we said to ourselves we’re more than capable. We knew we had pressure, but at the same time we knew we could get the job done.” Sudan achieved a 0-0 draw in Benghazi, at their temporary home stadium, thereby securing the second position in Group F. Eisa mentioned that the team benefited from the backing of the Sudanese diaspora during their two qualifiers held in Libya, in addition to local fans, following the commencement of their campaign in South Sudan. He further stated, “We’ve had a really big following.” Eisa elaborated, “Obviously it’s not home, it’s not Sudan, but at the same time it does feel like that with the support that they show and bring to us.” He noted, “[Against Angola it] was very loud. We couldn’t hear ourselves.” Sudan’s most recent participation in the continental tournament was the postponed 2021 Afcon, where their campaign concluded in the group stage. Eisa, who did not participate in the previous tournament, remarked, “As a kid, you grow up watching Africa Cup of Nations.” He continued, “To actually be a part of history, and with what’s going on in Sudan, is an amazing feeling.” The finals in Morocco next year are scheduled to commence on 21 December, a postponement Eisa characterized as “annoying” considering the team’s current morale. Despite these disadvantages, Sudan is also achieving commendable results in the qualifying rounds for the 2026 Fifa World Cup. They currently lead Group B, surpassing 2021 Afcon champions Senegal and two-time continental titleholders DR Congo, with the group winner guaranteed a spot in the tournament hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the USA. The Teranga Lions are slated to journey to confront Sudan during March’s international fixture window. Eisa stated, “Our attention quickly goes to that game.” He added, “It’s like we’ve actually got no time to think about the Afcon at this moment. Senegal are probably the favourites of the group, so we need to show what we’re about.” With the upcoming Nations Cup, securing a historic first World Cup appearance would be even more extraordinary given Sudan’s situation, and would instill much-needed pride in a country torn by conflict.