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Revision as of 17:16, 2 January 2022

Sudan
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Falcons of Jediane
AssociationSudan Football Association (SFA)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCECAFA
(East & Central Africa)
Head coachBurhan Tia
CaptainAkram Al Hadi
Most capsMuhannad El Tahir (82)
Top scorerNasr El-Din Abbas (27)
Home stadiumKhartoum Stadium
FIFA codeSDN
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 121 Steady (18 July 2024)[1]
Highest74 (December 1996)
Lowest164 (July 2017)
First international
 Sudan 5–1 Ethiopia 
(Sudan; 13 May 1956)[2]
Biggest win
 Sudan 15–0 Muscat and Oman
(Cairo, Egypt; 2 September 1965)
Biggest defeat
 South Korea 8–0 Sudan 
(Seoul, South Korea; 10 September 1979)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances9 (first in 1957)
Best resultChampions, (1970)
African Nations Championship
Appearances2 (first in 2011)
Best resultThird place, (2011, 2018)
FIFA Arab Cup
Appearances4 (first in 1998)
Best resultGroup stage, (1998, 2002, 2012 Arab Cup
CECAFA Cup
Appearances22 (first in 1979)
Best resultChampions, (1980, 2006, 2007)

The Sudan national football team (Arabic: منتخب السودان الوطني لكرة القدم) represents Sudan in international football and is controlled by the Sudan Football Association, the governing body for football in Sudan. Its home ground is Khartoum Stadium in the capital Khartoum. In 1957, it was one of the three teams to participate in the inaugural Africa Cup of Nations, the other two being Egypt and Ethiopia.

Sudan is one of the oldest teams in Africa and has a rich history, especially in the 1950s and up to the 70s. They won the 1970 Africa Cup of Nations as hosts with Mustafa Azhari as their best player. After beating Ethiopia 3–0, and a 1–0 defeat against Ivory Coast, they secured a place in the semi-finals by beating Cameroon 2–1. They overcame Egypt 2–1 after extra time in the semi-final, and won 1–0 against Ghana in the final to become African champions. Since then, Sudan has witnessed a significant decline and deterioration in football at the country, thus the country is unable to repeat the feat they used to achieve like before.

History

Beginning and an African giant (1946–1970)

The Sudan Football Association was founded in 1936 and thus it became one of the oldest football associations to exist in Africa. However, before the foundation of the Football Association, Sudan had started experiencing football brought to the country by the British colonizers since early 20th century via Egypt. Some of the finest Sudanese clubs were also founded at that time, including Al-Hilal Omdurman, Al-Merrikh, which led to popularization of football in the country. The Khartoum League became the first national league to be played in Sudan, laying ground for the future development of Sudanese football.

Being experienced early with football, Sudan was quick to affiliate itself with FIFA in 1948, and soon after, the Sudanese officials were instrumental, along with Ethiopian, South African and Egyptian counterparts, forming the Confederation of African Football in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum in 1957.[4] Following the establishment of CAF, Sudan participated in the 1957 African Cup of Nations, the first historic Africa Cup of Nations which Sudan was host. The national team finished third, as South Africa was banned over apartheid.

During that early era, Sudan produced some of the finest players, most notably Mustafa Azhari, the captain of Sudan during this period; Nasr El-Din Abbas, who became Sudan's top scorer in the country's football team; Siddiq Manzul, who was an instrumental leader in Sudan's forward; Ali Gagarin with his meteoric ability. Sudan then managed to achieve its greatest feat ever in the history, winning the 1970 African Cup of Nations, their only African trophy up to date.[4]

Decline (1970–2008)

With the retirement of a significant number of Sudanese football star at the time, the national team of Sudan deteriorated. Sudan participated in 1972 and 1976 editions, but Sudan wasn't able to get out of the group stage. At the time, Sudan was plagued by the first and second civil wars that led to football in the country being largely unable to retain its status. Likewise, Sudan also suffered from series of political upheavals that drained the country's football resources.[4] As such, Sudan struggled to qualify for another AFCON, and the country has yet to qualify for a single FIFA World Cup. Only Libya being the other major Arab country in Africa to have never achieved the feat. Often Sudan participated in AFCON qualification and majority finished in bottom or near bottom of their qualification. This was totally contrasted to their successes in club competition, as Sudanese clubs were omnipresent in CAF Champions League.[4]

Small resurgence (2008–2012)

On 9 September 2007, Sudan managed to achieve a historic feat, beating African powerhouse and World Cup participant Tunisia 3–2 at home, sealing Sudan's position as top finisher in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group 4. This meant Sudan had finally returned to the AFCON after 32 years, which was seen as a major success. In the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, their first in 32 years, Sudan was grouped in group C, which they shared with Egypt, Cameroon and Zambia. With an entirely inexperienced squad, Sudan lost all three competitive games with the 0–3 result, finishing bottom of their group.

As the fortune increased, Sudan reached the final round of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, which they had a chance to repeat the feat. Unfortunately, Ghana, Benin and Mali proved too good for Sudan, and the Sudanese finished last with only a point, missing out the chance to reach AFCON and World Cup.

Sudan (as hosts) automatically qualified for the 2011 African Nations Championship. They finished top of their group which consisted of Algeria, Uganda and Gabon to then advance to the knockout stages. After a win against Niger on penalties in the quarterfinals, they lost against Angola in the semifinals (also on penalties) to then win 1–0 against former groupmates Algeria (who also lost on penalties in the semifinals) and finish third in the Championship, their first top 4 finish in a major African tournament since 1970.

In the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, Sudan was once again in the same group with Ghana, alongside Swaziland and Congo. It was a success as Sudan lost only one game and reached the tournament with an emphatic fashion, including a famous away draw to the Ghanaians which had already reached the quarter-finals of earlier 2010 FIFA World Cup. Sudan then followed with a bigger success in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, where in group B, Sudan made an outstanding performance, finishing second behind powerhouse Ivory Coast, overcame Angola by goal difference to reach the knockout stage for the first time since 1970. Unfortunately, Sudan found itself against a rising Zambian side in the last eight, and lost 0–3. Zambia would go on to win the tournament for the first time.

Downfall (2012–2018)

In 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, Sudan suffered a huge blow when they lost to neighbor Ethiopia by away goal, losing 0–2 in Addis Ababa after a very eventful 5–3 win at home, thus missed out the competition. Since then, Sudan continued to struggle qualifying for the African Cup of Nations for the next 7 years. They also had no success qualifying for the African Nations Championship after their 3rd-place finish in 2011 for a while until 2018.

Fluctuation (2018–present)

In 2018 they qualified for the 2018 African Nations Championship after failing to do so in two previous competitions and finished 3rd place, and it was seen as a signal heralding a new era of Sudanese football. Shortly after, with an almost identical crop of players, Sudan succeeded in qualifying for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, finishing ahead of powerhouse South Africa, including two famous wins at home against Ghana and South Africa and eliminated the South Africans in process, successfully returned to the AFCON after nine years. The optimism increased when Sudan beat Libya 1–0 in the qualification for the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup, under the same management of French coach Hubert Velud, making impressions that Sudan would soon recover its glorious place among Arab and African football nations.

However, Sudan has a disastrous opening during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification. Being drawn with the likes of a fellow Arab state and powerhouse Morocco, as well as Guinea-Bissau and Guinea which have never taken part in a World Cup like Sudan, the Sudanese were still being regarded as somewhat better than the two Guineas and could be a potential competitor against Morocco. Sudan started its quest with a 0–2 away to the Moroccans in Rabat, which was seen as acceptable. Yet in the home fixture against Guinea-Bissau, Sudan was completely trashed by the Bissau-Guineans 2–4, to leave the team in the bottom place and reducing hopes to qualify for a maiden World Cup. Sudan's hope was completely dashed after winning only two points after two consecutive draws over Guinea, effectively making Sudan the first team to be eliminated in the group.

Team image

Recent results and fixtures

2021

24 March 2021 2021 AFCONQ São Tomé and Príncipe  0–2  Sudan São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe
15:00 UTC±0 Report
Stadium: Estádio Nacional 12 de Julho
Referee: Samuel Pwadutakam (Nigeria)
28 March 2021 2021 AFCONQ Sudan  2–0  South Africa Omdurman, Sudan
18:00 UTC+2 Report Stadium: Al-Hilal Stadium
Referee: Helder Martins de Carvalho (Angola)
11 June 2021 Friendly Sudan  3–2  Zambia Omdurman, Sudan
19:00 UTC+2
Stadium: Al-Hilal Stadium
13 June 2021 Friendly Sudan  0–1  Zambia Omdurman, Sudan
19:00 UTC+2 Report Stadium: Al-Hilal Stadium
Referee: Samoal Mohammed El Fatih (Sudan)
19 June 2021 2021 Arab Cup Libya  0–1  Sudan Doha, Qatar
20:00 UTC+3 Report Stadium: Khalifa International Stadium
Referee: Saoud Ali Al-Adba (Qatar)
22 August 2021 Friendly Sudan  1–2  Niger Dubai, UAE
20:00 UTC+4
Stadium: Al Maktoum Stadium
Referee: Yahya Al Mulla (UAE)
26 August 2021 Friendly Sudan  3–0  Niger Dubai, UAE
20:00 UTC+4 Stadium: Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium
Referee: Ahmed Eisa (UAE)
2 September 2021 2022 FWC Q Morocco  2–0  Sudan Rabat, Morocco
16:00 UTC±0
Report Stadium: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Maguette N'Diaye (Senegal)
7 September 2021 2022 FWC Q Sudan  6-2  Guinea-Bissau Omdurman, Sudan
21:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Al-Hilal Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Victor Gomes (South Africa)
6 October 2021 (2021-10-06) 2022 World Cup qualification - Group I Sudan  1–1  Guinea Marrakech, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Stade de Marrakech
Referee: Janny Sikazwe (Zambia)
9 October 2021 (2021-10-09) 2022 World Cup qualification - Group I Guinea  2–2  Sudan Agadir (Morocco)
17:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Stade Adrar
Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria)
12 November 2021 2022 WCQ Sudan  0–3  Morocco Rabat, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
Referee: Peter Waweru (Kenya)
15 November 2021 2022 World Cup qualification - Group I Guinea-Bissau  0–0  Sudan Marrakesh, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1 Report Stadium: Stade de Marrakech
Referee: Jean Ouattara (Burkina Faso)
1 December 2021 2021 Arab Cup Algeria  4–0  Sudan Al Rayyan, Qatar
13:00 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Ahmed bin Ali Stadium
Referee: Ryuji Sato (Japan)
4 December 2021 (2021-12-04) 2021 Arab Cup Sudan  0–5  Egypt Doha, Qatar
19:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Ras Abu Aboud Stadium
Referee: Matthew Conger (New Zealand)
7 December 2021 (2021-12-07) 2021 Arab Cup Lebanon  1–0  Sudan Al Rayyan, Qatar
22:00 UTC+3 Report Stadium: Education City Stadium
Referee: Fernando Hernández Gómez (Mexico)
30 December 2021 Friendly Sudan  2–3  Ethiopia

2022

2 January 2022 Friendly Zimbabwe  v  Sudan
11 January 2022 (2022-01-11) 2021 AFCON Sudan  v  Guinea-Bissau Garoua, Cameroon
20:00 Stadium: Roumdé Adjia Stadium
15 January 2022 (2022-01-15) 2021 AFCON Nigeria  v  Sudan Garoua, Cameroon
Stadium: Roumdé Adjia Stadium
19 January 2022 (2022-01-19) 2021 AFCON Egypt  v  Sudan Yaoundé, Cameroon
Stadium: Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the Friendly against Zimbabwe 2 January 2022

  • Caps and goals are correct as of: 7 December 2021, after the match against Lebanon.
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Ali Abu Eshrein (1989-12-06) 6 December 1989 (age 34) 21 0 Sudan Al-Hilal Club
1GK Mohamed Mustafa (1996-02-19) 19 February 1996 (age 28) 2 0 Sudan Al-Merrikh SC
1GK Ishag Adam (1999-01-01) 1 January 1999 (age 25) 1 0 Sudan Al-Hilal Club

2DF Salah Nemer (Captain) (1992-02-05) 5 February 1992 (age 32) 9 0 Sudan Al-Merrikh SC
2DF Moaiad Abdeen (1996-05-21) 21 May 1996 (age 28) 3 0 Sudan Alamal SC Atbara
2DF Mustafa Karshoum (1992-12-06) 6 December 1992 (age 31) 3 0 Sudan Al-Merrikh SC
2DF Ammar Kano (1995-06-21) 21 June 1995 (age 29) 2 0 Sudan Hay Al-Wadi SC (Nyala)
2DF Amjed Ismaeil (1993-01-01) 1 January 1993 (age 31) 1 0 Sudan Al-Ahly Shendi
2DF Alsadeg Hassan (1996-09-04) 4 September 1996 (age 27) 0 0 Sudan Al-Shurta SC (Al-Qadaref)
2DF Muhamed Amin (1998-11-06) 6 November 1998 (age 25) 0 0 Sweden Motala AIF
2DF Mustafa Alfadni (1999-10-24) 24 October 1999 (age 24) 0 0 Sudan Al-Ahly Shendi
2DF Suliman Kalo {{}} 0 0 Sudan Alamal SC Atbara
2DF Muhamed Kesra {{}} 0 0 Sudan Hay Al-Arab SC
2DF Mazin Muhamedin (2000-05-02) 2 May 2000 (age 24) 0 0 Sudan Tuti SC (Khartoum)
2DF Awad Zaid {{}} 0 0 Sudan Al Ahli SC (Khartoum)
2DF Ali Zizo {{}} 0 0 Sudan Hilal Alsahil SC

3MF Walieldin Khedr (1995-09-15) 15 September 1995 (age 28) 17 0 Sudan Al-Hilal Club
3MF Dhiya Mahjoub (1995-05-30) 30 May 1995 (age 29) 15 0 Sudan Al-Merrikh SC
3MF Mohamed Al Rashed (1994-01-01) 1 January 1994 (age 30) 12 1 Sudan Al-Merrikh SC
3MF Muhamed Kome {{}} 2 0 Sudan Al-Ahly Shendi
3MF Abdel Raouf (1993-07-18) 18 July 1993 (age 31) 0 0 Sudan Al-Hilal Club
3MF Jumaa Abbas (1994-11-03) 3 November 1994 (age 29) 0 0 Sudan Al-Hilal Club
3MF Muhamed Hasoun {{}} 0 0 Sudan Hay Al-Wadi SC (Nyala)
3MF Muhamed Almunzir {{}} 0 0 Sudan El-Hilal SC El-Obeid
3MF Suliman Zakaria {{}} 0 0 Sudan Hay Al-Arab SC
3MF Captain Bashir (1994-06-01) 1 June 1994 (age 30) 0 0 Sudan Alamal SC Atbara
3MF Mujtaba Almardi {{}} 0 0 Sudan Al-Ahly Shendi
3MF Alsheikh Muhamed {{}} 0 0 Sudan Al Khartoum SC
3MF Sharif Omer {{}} 0 0 Sudan Al-Hilal ESC (Al-Fasher)

4FW Mohamed Abdel Rahman (1993-07-10) 10 July 1993 (age 31) 18 7 Sudan Al-Hilal Club
4FW Al-Jezoli Nouh (2002-10-24) 24 October 2002 (age 21) 7 0 Sudan Al-Merrikh SC
4FW Yasin Hamed (1999-09-12) 12 September 1999 (age 24) 6 0 Hungary Nyiregyhaza Spartacus
4FW Musab Ahmed (1993-12-10) 10 December 1993 (age 30) 0 0 Sudan El-Hilal SC El-Obeid
4FW Muhamed Zurga {{}} 0 0 Sudan Al-Merrikh SC


Records

As of 7 December 2021.
Players in bold are still active with Sudan.

Coaching history

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup record

FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Appearances: 0 Appearances: 13
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 Part of  United Kingdom Part of  United Kingdom
Italy 1934
France 1938
Brazil 1950
Switzerland 1954
Sweden 1958 Withdrew in qualification 2 1 1 0 2 1
Chile 1962 Withdrew Withdrew
England 1966
Mexico 1970 Did not qualify 8 2 4 2 15 16
West Germany 1974 2 1 0 1 1 2
Argentina 1978 Withdrew Withdrew
Spain 1982 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 1 3
Mexico 1986 4 0 3 1 1 5
Italy 1990 2 0 1 1 1 2
United States 1994 Withdrew Withdrew
France 1998 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 2 3
South Korea Japan 2002 10 5 0 5 10 12
Germany 2006 12 2 4 6 9 22
South Africa 2010 12 3 1 8 11 18
Brazil 2014 6 0 2 4 3 14
Russia 2018 2 0 0 2 0 3
Qatar 2022 8 1 4 3 8 13
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined To be determined
Total 0/22 72 16 21 35 64 114

Olympic Games record

Olympic Games
Appearances: 1
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1896 – 1956 Did not enter
Italy 1960 Did not qualify
Japan 1964
Mexico 1968
West Germany 1972 Group stage 15th 3 0 0 3 1 5
Canada 1976 Did not qualify
Soviet Union 1980 Did not enter
United States 1984 Did not qualify
South Korea 1988
Spain 1992
United States 1996 Did not enter
Australia 2000 Did not qualify
Greece 2004
China 2008
United Kingdom 2012
Brazil 2016
Japan 2020
Total Group stage 1/26 3 0 0 3 1 5
  • Football at the Summer Olympics has been an under-23 tournament since the 1992 edition.

Honours

References

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 18 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  2. ^ "World Football Elo Ratings: Sudan". World Football Elo Ratings. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  3. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d "World Football: The State of Football in Sudan".