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Intro into team
The Sudan national football team were one of the three teams to play in the first ever African Cup of Nations way back in 1957 along with Egypt and Ethiopia and won the tournament(their only win) in 1970. They have never qualified for a World Cup but did win the 2009 Harmony Cup.
How did they qualify?
As one of the two best runners up in the qualifying stage, they finished a credible second to Ghana, losing only once, at home to Ghana. Along the way they picked up 13 points but only scored eight goals in six games. However they had a solid defence, averaging 0.5 goals conceded per match.
Trending
They find themselves in Group B with the Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Angola.
Manager
Mohammed Abdullah Mazda lead the team to this year’s tournament by finishing runners up to Ghana in qualifying. He is trying to build a team on their strong defence and blend the experienced players with some promising youngsters.
Star Men
Haytham Tambal – The 32 year old striker made his debut in 2000 and has since become Sudan’s all time record goal scorer with 26 goals. In 2008 he averaged over a goal a game in the Sudanese top flight and his stats show he has a keen eye for goal.
Hytham Mostafa Karar – A veteran at the age of 34, Karar is the Sudanese captain who led his country to their first African Nations in 30 years in 2008 and has taken them again this year. Karar plays in his midfield and his Wikipedia entry claims he has magical throw passes, is a UN Goodwill Ambassador and he turned down a move to Everton in 2011.
How far can they go?
They’re unlikely to win the group with the Ivory Coast being favourites. However they have an outside chance of finishing second if they can get a result against Angola. I wouldn’t expect them to make much impact if they get out of the group though.
