Sudan national football team

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.[3] 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.[3]

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.[3] 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.[3]

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.

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.

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.

The following players were called up for the Friendly Match against Central African Republic and Tanzania 26, 29 March 2022.

Caps and goals are correct as of 29 March 2022, after the match against Tanzania.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
30	1GK	Ali Abu Eshrein	(1989-12-06) 6 December 1989	26	0	Al-Hilal Club
16	1GK	Mohamed Mustafa (Captain)	(1996-02-19) 19 February 1996	5	0	Al-Merrikh SC
1	1GK	Muhamed Ebrahim	{{}}	0	0	Hilal Alsahil SC
6	2DF	Mustafa Karshoum	(1992-12-06) 6 December 1992	8	0	Al-Merrikh SC
17	2DF	Mazin Mohamedein	(2000-05-02) 2 May 2000	7	0	Tuti SC
12	2DF	Mustafa Alfadni	(1999-10-24) 24 October 1999	7	0	Al-Ahly Shendi
3	2DF	Elsadig Hassan	(1996-09-04) 4 September 1996	4	0	Al-Shorta SC (Al-Qadaref)
20	2DF	Moaiad Abdeen	(1996-05-21) 21 May 1996	3	0	Alamal SC Atbara
2	2DF	Muhamed Kesra	(1996-10-25) 25 October 1996	3	0	Hay Al-Arab SC
4	2DF	Amjad Ismail	(1993-01-01) 1 January 1993	2	0	Al-Ahly Shendi
13	2DF	Ali Zizo	{{}}	0	0	Hilal Alsahil SC
21	3MF	Walieldin Khedr	(1995-09-15) 15 September 1995	24	1	Al-Hilal Club
8	3MF	Abdel Raouf	(1993-07-18) 18 July 1993	7	0	Al-Hilal Club
22	3MF	Gumaa Abas	(1994-11-03) 3 November 1994	6	0	Al-Hilal Club
23	3MF	Alsamani Alsawi	(1991-10-31) 31 October 1991	5	1	Al-Merrikh SC
9	3MF	Captain Bashir	(1994-06-01) 1 June 1994	2	0	Alamal SC Atbara
18	3MF	Muhamed Almunzer	(2000-10-13) 13 October 2000	2	0	El-Hilal SC El-Obeid
5	3MF	Awad Zaid	(1993-01-01) 1 January 1993	1	0	Al Ahli SC (Khartoum)
19	3MF	Emad Salah	(1993-06-05) 5 June 1993	1	0	Al-Merrikh SC
15	3MF	Alsheikh Muhamed	(1997-06-14) 14 June 1997	0	0	Al Khartoum SC
11	4FW	Al-Jezoli Nouh	(2002-10-24) 24 October 2002	12	0	Al-Merrikh SC
7	4FW	Sharif Omer	(1992-06-19) 19 June 1992	5	0	Al-Hilal ESC (Al-Fasher)
14	4FW	Muhamed Zurga	(1998-09-18) 18 September 1998	4	0	Al-Merrikh SC
10	4FW	Sedig Kuwa	{{}}	2	1	Al Ahli Club (Merowe)

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

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Akram Al Hadi	(1987-02-27) 27 February 1987	38	0	Toti SC	v.  Guinea; 9 October 2021
GK	Munjed Al Nil	(1996-01-01) 1 January 1996	2	0	Al-Merrikh SC	v.  Guinea; 9 October 2021
GK	Mohamed Alnour	(2000-01-01) 1 January 2000	0	0	Al-Hilal Club	v.  Zambia; 13 June 2021
DF	Amir Kamal	(1992-07-24) 24 July 1992	61	2	Al-Merrikh SC	2021 FIFA Arab Cup
DF	Faris Abdalla	(1994-02-19) 19 February 1994	45	1	Al-Hilal Club	2021 FIFA Arab Cup
DF	Ather El Tahir	(1996-10-24) 24 October 1996	39	6	Smouha SC	2021 FIFA Arab Cup
DF	Ahmed Bibo	(1994-01-01) 1 January 1994	10	0	Al-Merrikh SC	2021 FIFA Arab Cup
DF	Muhamed Ering	(1997-10-23) 23 October 1997	8	0	Al-Hilal Club	2021 FIFA Arab Cup
DF	Ahmed Wadah	(2000-02-12) 12 February 2000	7	0	Al-Hilal Club	2021 FIFA Arab Cup
DF	Walid Hassan	(1991-11-19) 19 November 1991	5	0	Al Ta'awon SC	2021 FIFA Arab Cup
DF	Samawal Merghani	(1991-10-22) 22 October 1991	17	0	Al-Hilal Club	v.  Guinea; 9 October 2021
DF	Hussein Al Jarf	(1998-09-23) 23 September 1998	8	0	Hilal Alsahil SC	v.  Guinea-Bissau; 7 September 2021
DF	Omer Al Masry	(1990-12-28) 28 December 1990	2	0	Al-Hilal Club	v.  Guinea-Bissau; 7 September 2021
DF	Hussein Ebrahim	(1998-09-23) 23 September 1998	9	0	Hilal Alsahil SC	v.  Zambia; 13 June 2021
MF	Nasr Eldin El Shigail	(1985-04-07) 7 April 1985	64	0	Al-Hilal Club	2021 FIFA Arab Cup
MF	Ramadan Agab	(1986-02-20) 20 February 1986	49	7	Al-Merrikh SC	2021 FIFA Arab Cup
MF	Abuaagla Abdalla	(1993-03-11) 11 March 1993	43	1	Al-Hilal Club	2021 FIFA Arab Cup
MF	Muaaz Al-Quoz	(1989-04-25) 25 April 1989	29	1	Al Khartoum SC	2021 FIFA Arab Cup
MF	Salah Adel	(1995-04-03) 3 April 1995	7	0	Al-Hilal Club	2021 FIFA Arab Cup
MF	Ahmed Al-Tash	(1993-03-07) 7 March 1993	12	1	Al-Merrikh SC	v.  Guinea-Bissau; 7 September 2021
MF	Sharaf Eldin Shiboub	(1994-06-07) 7 June 1994	6	0	CS Constantine	v.  Guinea-Bissau; 7 September 2021
FW	Yaser Muzmel	(1992-01-01) 1 January 1992	17	3	Al-Hilal Club	2021 FIFA Arab Cup
FW	Seif Teiri	(1994-01-01) 1 January 1994	23	9	Pharco FC	v.  Guinea; 9 October 2021
FW	Waleed Al Shuala	(1998-11-11) 11 November 1998	6	0	Al-Hilal Club	v.  Guinea-Bissau; 7 September 2021
Notes INJ = Withdrew due to injury PRE = Preliminary squad / standby RET = Retired from the national team

Olympic Games
Appearances: 1
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1896 – 1956	Did not enter
1960	Did not qualify
1964
1968
1972	Group stage	15th	3	0	0	3	1	5
1976	Did not qualify
1980	Did not enter
1984	Did not qualify
1988
1992
1996	Did not enter
2000	Did not qualify
2004
2008
2012
2016
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.

Africa Cup of Nations record Main article: Sudan at the Africa Cup of Nations Africa Cup of Nations Appearances: 9 Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA 1957 Third place 3rd 1 0 0 1 1 2 1959 Runners-up 2nd 2 1 0 1 2 2 1962 Did not qualify 1963 Runners-up 2nd 3 1 1 1 6 5 1965 Did not qualify 1968 1970 Champions 1st 5 4 0 1 8 3 1972 Group stage 7th 3 0 2 1 4 6 1974 Did not qualify 1976 Group stage 7th 3 0 2 1 3 4 1978 Withdrew 1980 Did not qualify 1982 Did not enter 1984 Did not qualify 1986 Withdrew 1988 Did not qualify 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 Withdrew during qualifying 2000 Did not enter 2002 Did not qualify 2004 2006 2008 Group stage 16th 3 0 0 3 0 9 2010 Did not qualify 2012 Quarter-finals 8th 4 1 1 2 4 7 2013 Did not qualify 2015 2017 2019 2021 Group stage 20th 3 0 1 2 1 4 2023 To be determined 2025 Total 1 Title 9/33 27 7 7 13 29 42

African Games record African Games Appearances: 1 Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA 1965 Did not enter 1973 1978 Did not enter 1987 Did not qualify 1991 Did not enter 1995 1999 2003 Withdrew 2007 Did not enter 2011 2015 Group stage 5th 3 1 1 1 2 2 2019 To be determined 2023 All Total Group stage 1/11 3 1 1 1 2 2 Prior to the Cairo 1991 campaign, the Football at the All-Africa Games was open to full senior national teams.

African Nations Championship record African Nations Championship Appearances: 2 Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA 2009 Did not qualify 2011 Third place 3rd 6 4 1 1 5 2 2014 Did not qualify 2016 Did not qualify 2018 Third place 3rd 6 4 1 1 5 3 2020 Did not qualify 2022 To be determined Total Third place 2/5 12 8 2 2 10 5

CECAFA Cup record Main article: CECAFA Cup CECAFA Cup Appearances: 22 Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA 1973 Did not enter 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 Group stage 6th 2 0 1 1 1 5 1980 Champions 1st 4 3 0 1 5 2 1981 Group stage 7th 3 0 2 1 2 4 1982 6th 2 0 0 2 0 3 1983 5th 4 2 1 1 4 3 1984 Did not enter 1985 1987 1988 1989 1990 Runners-up 2nd 4 2 1 1 5 3 1991 Fourth place 4th 4 0 1 3 3 9 1992 Did not enter 1994 1995 1996 Third place 3rd 4 1 2 1 6 6 1999 Quarter-finals 8th 3 0 2 1 1 4 2000 Did not enter 2001 2002 Group stage 6th 4 1 1 2 4 5 2003 Fourth place 4th 4 2 1 1 8 2 2004 Third place 3rd 5 3 1 1 11 6 2005 Group stage 6th 4 2 0 2 7 12 2006 Champions 1st 6 2 3 1 7 4 2007 1st 5 2 3 0 8 6 2008 Group stage 6th 4 1 2 1 3 2 2009 Did not enter 2010 Group stage 10th 3 0 1 2 0 5 2011 Third place 3rd 6 3 3 0 6 3 2012 Group stage 9th 3 1 0 2 1 3 2013 Runners-up 2nd 6 4 0 2 8 4 2015 Fourth place 4th 6 2 1 3 7 4 2017 Did not enter 2019 Group Stage - - - - - - Total 3 Titles 22/39 86 31 27 33 87 61

Arab Cup record Arab Cup Appearances: 4 Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA 1963 Did not enter 1964 1966 1985 Did not qualify 1988 Did not enter 1992 1998 Group stage 7th 2 1 0 1 2 4 2002 7th 4 1 1 2 4 5 2012 7th 3 1 2 0 4 2 2021 16th 3 0 0 3 0 10 Total Group stage 4/10 12 3 3 6 10 21

Pan Arab Games record Pan Arab Games Appearances: 3 Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA 1953 Did not enter 1957 1961 1965 Silver Medal 2nd 6 5 0 1 32 5 1976 Did not enter 1985 1992 1997 1999 2004 No tournament 2007 Group stage 5th 4 0 0 4 0 12 2011 Group stage 5th 3 1 1 1 1 2 Total Group stage 3/11 13 6 1 6 33 19