In a historic turn of events at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Sudan secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea, a win that marked a significant personal milestone for their Ghanaian coach, Kwesi Appiah.
Own Goal Seals Vital Victory for Nile Crocodiles
The match's only goal came in the 74th minute through an unfortunate own goal by Equatorial Guinea's Saul Coco. The defender inadvertently turned a Sudanese free-kick past his own goalkeeper, Jesús Owono. This solitary strike was enough to end Sudan's eight-game winless streak in the AFCON tournament, a run that had plagued the team for years.
This victory was particularly poignant for the Nile Crocodiles, as the Sudanese national team has been forced to play all their matches away from home due to ongoing civil unrest within their country. The three points earned keep their hopes alive for advancing to the competition's Round of 16.
Kwesi Appiah Enters the History Books
The triumph against Equatorial Guinea propelled coach Kwesi Appiah into the annals of African football history. The 65-year-old Ghanaian has now become the first coach from Ghana to win an AFCON match with two different national teams.
Appiah previously led the Black Stars of Ghana to the semi-finals of the 2013 AFCON. His achievement with Sudan is further amplified as he is also the first Ghanaian to manage two different nations at the continental championship. Under his guidance, Sudan qualified for the 2025 tournament and has now recorded their first AFCON victory since 2012.
Group E Scramble and Fan Reactions
The result throws Group E wide open. Sudan now sits level on three points with Burkina Faso, whom they will face in their final group game in Casablanca. For Equatorial Guinea, the path to the knockout stages has become extremely difficult. The National Thunder, who also suffered a last-minute defeat to Burkina Faso, must now secure a victory against the formidable Algeria in their final match to have any chance of progression.
Fans on social media celebrated Sudan's resilience and Appiah's impact. One user, @_owurakuampofo, noted: "The country of Sudan is seeing success on the field despite the troubles in their nation." Another, @kennedyansah_, added: "Kwesi Appiah’s fairy tale as Sudan head coach has so far been a success."
The final group stage matches on Wednesday will now decide which two teams from this tightly contested group advance to the next round of AFCON 2025.
