Sudan head coach Kwesi Appiah has set a bold target for his team at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, insisting the Falcons of Jediane are competing to win, not merely to participate.
Following a narrow 1-0 loss to Algeria in their opening Group E match, Sudan responded with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea on Sunday night in Casablanca.
The game remained finely balanced until the 74th minute, when chaos in the Equatorial Guinea penalty area proved decisive.
A powerful Sudanese cross forced defender Saul Coco into a misjudged clearance, resulting in an own goal that sent the Sudanese players and supporters into celebration. The strike marked Sudan’s first AFCON win in over a decade.
After the match, Appiah praised his squad’s performance but emphasized that the team’s ambitions go far beyond a single triumph.
“I am happy with the win, but our ambition is to win the title, not just to achieve a single victory. We have experienced players, and their performance was strong,” the Ghanaian gaffer said after the game.
He also acknowledged the challenges Sudan faced during the match, highlighting their resilience and determination.
“We faced some difficulties, but we always try to show good quality in our matches to achieve victories. I thank everyone who supported us in this match, especially the fans.”
Sudan now prepares for a crucial final group match against Burkina Faso on New Year’s Eve at the Mohammed V Stadium, with a Round of 16 spot on the line.
Appiah stressed that while immediate progression is the priority, the team remains focused on long-term ambitions.
“When you take part in any tournament, the main ambition is to get through the group stage and go as far as possible. We achieved what mattered most, and we are mindful of these objectives of reaching the furthest stage possible. We are not here to just participate,” he added.
Kick-off is set for 16:00 GMT.
