Sudan national football team explained

Sudan
Nickname:Falcons of Jediane (صقور الجديان)
Association:Sudan Football Association (SFA)
Sub-Confederation:CECAFA
(East & Central Africa)
Confederation:CAF (Africa)
Coach:James Kwesi Appiah
Captain:Ramadan Agab
Most Caps:Haitham Mustafa (99)
Top Scorer:Nasreldin Jaksa (27)
Home Stadium:Khartoum Stadium
Fifa Trigramme:SDN
Fifa Max:74
Fifa Max Date:December 1996
Fifa Min:164
Fifa Min Date:July 2017
Elo Max:31
Elo Max Date:July 1971
Elo Min:155
Elo Min Date:2018
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First Game: 5–1
(Omdurman, Sudan; 13 May 1956)[1]
Largest Win: 15–0 Muscat and Oman
(Cairo, Egypt; 2 September 1965)
Largest Loss: 8–0
(Seoul, South Korea; 8 September 1979)
Regional Name:Africa Cup of Nations
Regional Cup Apps:9
Regional Cup First:1957
Regional Cup Best:Champions (1970)
2Ndregional Name:African Nations Championship
2Ndregional Cup Apps:3
2Ndregional Cup First:2011
2Ndregional Cup Best:Third place (2011, 2018)
3Rdregional Name:FIFA Arab Cup
3Rdregional Cup Apps:4
3Rdregional Cup First:1998
3Rdregional Cup Best:Group stage (1998, 2002, 2012, 2021)
4Thregional Name:CECAFA Cup
4Thregional Cup Apps:22
4Thregional Cup First:1979
4Thregional Cup Best:Champions (1980, 2006, 2007)

The Sudan national football team (Arabic: منتخب السُّودَان الْوَطَنِيّ لِكُرَّةُ الْقَدَم) 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 won the 1970 Africa Cup of Nations as hosts.

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. Other Sudanese clubs founded at that time include 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, 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.[2] 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 won the 1970 African Cup of Nations, their only African trophy up to date.

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. 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.

Small resurgence (2008–2012)

On 9 September 2007, Sudan beat World Cup participant Tunisia 3–2 at home, making Sudan the top finisher in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group 4. This meant Sudan had finally returned to the AFCON after 32 years. 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. Sudan lost all three competitive games finishing at the bottom of their group.

Sudan reached the final round of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers but finished last with only a point, failing 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 defeating 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. Sudan lost only one game and reached the tournament In the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, in group B, Sudan finished second behind Ivory Coast, and overcame Angola by goal difference to reach the knockout stage for the first time since 1970. Sudan played Zambia 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 had 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.

Results and fixtures

See main article: Sudan national football team results (2020–present). The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

2024

Coaching history

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification - CAF Group B matches against Togo & DR Congo on 16 and 19 November 2023.[3]

Caps and goals are correct as of 19 November 2023, after the match against DR Congo.

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for Sudan in the last 12 months.

Notes

Records

.[4]

Players in bold are still active with Sudan.

Most appearances

width=30pxRank Playerwidth=50pxCapswidth=50pxGoalsCareer
1 98 6 1998–2012
2 89 15 2004–2018
3 80 8 2002–2012
4 78 0 2002–2015
5 76 7 1999–2008
6 69 0 2007–2021
7 63 2 2010–2021
861 5 2004–2014
960 24 2002–2011
10 58 4 2007–2015

Top goalscorers

width=30pxRankPlayer width=50pxGoalswidth=50pxCapswidth=50pxRatio Career
1 27 52 1963–1972
2 24 60 2003–2011
318 47 1998–2012
18 45 1967–1979
5 15 89 1998-2012
6 Muhamed Abdelrahman 14 33 2017–
7 11 29 1965–1972
8 Seif Teiri 10 32 2017–present
10 54 2007–2016
10 8 80 2002–2012

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup recordQualification record
YearRoundPosition
1930 to 1938Part of United KingdomPart of United Kingdom
1950 and 1954Did not enterDid not enter
1958Withdrew in qualification211021
1962WithdrewWithdrew
1966
1970Did not qualify82421516
1974210112
1978WithdrewWithdrew
1982Did not qualify201113
1986403115
1990201112
1994WithdrewWithdrew
1998Did not qualify210123
2002105051012
200612246922
2010123181118
20146024314
2018200203
20228143813
2026To be determined431071
2030To be determined
2034
Total!7619223571115

Olympic Games

Olympic Games record
Appearances: 1
YearRoundPosition
1896 – 1956Did not enter
1960Did not qualify
1964
1968
1972Group stage15th300315
1976Did not qualify
1980Did not enter
1984Did not qualify
1988
1992
1996Did not enter
2000Did not qualify
2004
2008
2012
2016
2020
2024
TotalGroup stage1/28300315

Africa Cup of Nations

See main article: Sudan at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Africa Cup of Nations recordQualification record
YearRoundPosition
1957Third place3rd100112Qualified as hosts
1959Runners-up2nd210122No qualification
1962Did not enterDid not enter
1963Runners-up2nd311165220060
1965Did not qualify6411147
1968310245
1970Champions1st540183Qualified as hosts
1972Group stage7th302146Qualified as defending champions
1974Did not qualify201123
1976Group stage7th302134430174
1978WithdrewWithdrew
1980Did not qualify210124
1982Did not enterDid not enter
1984Did not qualify421146
1986WithdrewWithdrew
1988Did not qualify421133
1990210111
1992420233
1994612329
1996103251014
1998WithdrewWithdrew
2000Did not enterDid not enter
2002Did not qualify8215910
2004631296
200612246922
2008Group stage16th3003096501134
2010Did not qualify10217715
2012Quarter-finals8th411247641183
2013Did not qualify210155
20156105311
2017411223
20196105513
2021Group stage20th301214640293
2023Did not qualify6204310
2025To be determinedTo be determined
2027
Total1 Title9/342777132942127501760140164

African Games

African Games record
Appearances: 1
YearRoundPosition
1965Did not enter
1973
1978Did not enter
1987Did not qualify
1991Did not enter
1995
1999
2003Withdrew
2007Did not enter
2011
2015Group stage5th311122
2019To be determined
2023
All TotalGroup stage1/11311122

African Nations Championship

African Nations Championship recordQualification record
YearRoundPosition
2009Did not qualify411276
2011Third place3rd641152Qualified as hosts
2014Did not qualify202022
2016200204
2018Third place3rd641153422031
2020Did not qualify210122
2022Group stage12th310246220073
TotalThird place3/6159241411166552118

CECAFA Cup

See main article: CECAFA Cup.

CECAFA Cup record
Appearances: 22
YearRoundPosition
1973Did not enter
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979Group stage6th201115
1980Champions1st430152
1981Group stage7th302124
19826th200203
19835th421143
1984Did not enter
1985
1987
1988
1989
1990Runners-up2nd421153
1991Fourth place4th401339
1992Did not enter
1994
1995
1996Third place3rd412166
1999Quarter-finals8th302114
2000Did not enter
2001
2002Group stage6th411245
2003Fourth place4th421182
2004Third place3rd5311116
2005Group stage6th4202712
2006Champions1st623174
20071st523086
2008Group stage6th412132
2009Did not enter
2010Group stage10th301205
2011Third place3rd633063
2012Group stage9th310213
2013Runners-up2nd640284
2015Fourth place4th621374
2017Did not enter
2019Group stage7th302123
Total3 Titles22/39893129348964

Arab Cup

FIFA Arab Cup record
Appearances: 4
YearRoundPosition
1963Did not enter
1964
1966
1985Did not qualify
1988Did not enter
1992
1998Group stage7th210124
20027th411245
20127th312042
202116th3003010
TotalGroup stage4/10123361021

Arab Games

Arab Games record
Appearances: 3
YearRoundPosition
1953Did not enter
1957
1961
1965Silver Medal2nd6501325
1976Did not enter
1985
1992
1997
1999
2004No tournament
2007Group stage5th4004012
2011Group stage5th311112
2023Bronze Medal3rd521286
TotalSilver Medal4/12188284125

Honours

Continental

Regional

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: World Football Elo Ratings: Sudan. World Football Elo Ratings. 22 February 2017. 31 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150131190951/http://www.eloratings.net/Sudan.htm. live.
  2. Web site: World Football: The State of Football in Sudan. Bleacher Report. 15 November 2020. 11 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190811102140/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/992747-world-football-the-state-of-football-in-sudan. live.
  3. Web site: Final Squad . Facebook . Sudan Football Association . 20 November 2023 . 20 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231120154727/https://www.facebook.com/SFA1936/posts/pfbid08UVd5Pqpg4CZ1w8WCWMjstNSDiHJatpfc8772UvAoDznrKU32UaCDK15a1YNjsTfl . live .
  4. Web site: Sudan . National Football Teams . 15 September 2023 . 19 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240219083303/https://www.national-football-teams.com/country/176/2024/Sudan.html . live .