AFCON 2025: Sudan revive qualification hopes with win over Equatorial Guinea
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Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 28.12.25. | 20:55
A Saul Coco’s 74th minute own goal was all that The Nile Crocodiles needed to end their eight-match winless streak at this stage
It is history for Sudan as the side held their own against Equatorial Guinea for a 1-0 victory in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group E match played at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca.
Going into the match, both Equatorial Guinea and Sudan were seeking their first points in the group after suffering defeats to Burkina Faso and Algeria respectively.
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A 74th‑minute own goal secured victory for Kwesi Appiah's Sudan’s, a first AFCON finals win since 2012, ending a 13‑year winless streak at the tournament
The match started on an even note in terms of possession as both teams resorted to attack through long balls that saw either side flagged offside.
The first chance of the match fell to Equatorial Guinea in the 12th minute when Jose Machin received a neat pass inside the box and unleashed a shot but a last minute block by the Sudanese defense helped to maintain the scoreline.
In the 20th minute, Equatorial Guinea’s Santiago Eneme picked up a knock that he tried to shake off but it was too much for him and he was substituted five minutes later for Josete Miranda.
In the half hour mark, Saul Coco of Equatorial Guinea committed a foul after a dangerous play before brilliantly blocking a long range effort by Aamir Abdalla a minute later.
The battle concentrated in midfield as the match progressed towards the 45th minute mark as the referee signalled 10 minutes of added time due to stoppages occasioned by injuries in the first half.
The notable chance of the added minutes fell to Sudan when Abdalla took a long range shot that went over the bar with referee Messie Jessie blowing his half time whistle thereafter.
In the second half, the game had to wait until the hour mark for the most significant chance when Sudan’s Mohamed Eisa gathered a nice lofted pass deep inside the box but his shot was deflected away by the Equatorial Guinea defense.
Equatorial Guinea got their chance two minutes later when Miranda picked a pass and took a mid range shot but Monged Elneel in the Sudan post was equal to it and made a comfortable save.
Equatorial Guinea’s Pedro Obiang picked a knock in the 65th minute that saw him withdrawn four minutes later even as both teams tried to push for a winner in the balanced affair.
The all important goal was scored in the 74th minute when Coco, in an attempt to clear the ball, deflected it into his own net to give Sudan the lead.
With the goal, Sudan retreated deep in their own half to defend their lead while Equatorial Guinea were pushing for a winner but the Sudanese limited them to only one chance in the 92nd minute when Emilio Nsue picked a loose ball inside the penalty area but sliced his chance wide of the right post.
The final whistle blew shortly thereafter to guarantee Sudan three points that increased their chances of promotion even as one of the best ranked third placed teams.
