Afcon qualifying wins bring 'pride' to war-torn Sudan

Sudan have been forced to play their home games at neutral venues, but were well supported during a World Cup qualifier in neighbouring South Sudan in June

Sudan's victory over Ghana in qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) will have brought pride and joy to a country affected by civil war, according to forward Abobaker Eisa.

Sudan beat the Black Stars 2-0 in a home game played in neutral Libya on Tuesday and need just one point from their last two qualifiers next month to secure a place at the finals.

The civil war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia began in April last year, leaving millions displaced and many facing famine as the country experiences the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

"With the things that are going on in Sudan right now, the civil war, we're playing a much bigger game," Eisa told Newsday on the BBC World Service.

"People are in the streets to watch the games, and this is giving them a lot of joy amongst the chaos that's been going on. It makes them feel proud.

"Obviously we are hoping that our country gets better, and hopefully we could be a positive thing for our country as well."

The impact of Appiah

Sudan boss Kwesi Appiah coached Ghana at the 2013 Afcon and 2014 World Cup

Sudan did become African champions on home soil in 1970 but have failed to make an impact in continental competition since then.

However, head coach Kwesi Appiah has overseen recent progress and the Falcons of Jediane have also made a promising start in qualifiers for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

They were ranked 50 places below Ghana ahead of their Group F double-header this month but their 2-0 victory in Benina followed a 0-0 draw in Accra last Thursday.

Eisa has hailed the impact of Appiah, a Ghanaian who previously managed the Black Stars at the World Cup and Afcon.

"He brings a lot of experience and he's changed our mentality into thinking we could beat anyone," the 28-year-old said.

"I think that's the biggest difference that you're seeing here with the Sudanese team.

"Everyone knows that he's a legend in his country and what he's done for his country. But he's told us he believes that we could do something big together.

"We're going step by step but it is coming to fruition now."

Achieving qualification 'dream'

Abobaker Eisa was released by League Two club Grimsby Town at the end of last season

Sudan have only featured once at the Afcon finals since 2013, and reaching the 2025 edition in Morocco would be all the more remarkable given the ongoing conflict in the country and the fact the side have been forced to hold their home qualifiers at neutral venues.

"It puts us on the brink of a historic qualification," Sudanese journalist Abdul Musa told the BBC World Service.

"Everybody knows the situation back home, and it just shows that the togetherness, the chemistry within the team."

Sudan will round off their Group F campaign with an away tie against Niger and a 'home' game against Angola next month.

Both matches are set to be at neutral venues as Niger do not have a stadium fit for international football.

"I think every African kid grew up watching the Africa Cup of Nations and wanting to be a part of it," said former Bradford City and Grimsby Town man Eisa, who now plays in Thailand.

"Now that we've come so close to it, we still need to finish the business. But it'll be a dream come true for me and for a lot of us."