Own goal gives Sudan win over Equatorial Guinea

Saul Coco's own goal boosts Sudan's bid to advance at the Africa Cup of Nations with their first finals win since 2012.

CAF Africa Cup of Nations

Equatorial Guinea 0 - 1 Sudan FT

Footballer Mohamed Ering is pictured playing football for the Sudan national team at the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, challenging for a football in a white kit with green and red details and the number 3 in black on the chest and shorts. Ering is challenged by Equatorial Guinea footballer Santiago Eneme, wearing a red kit with white trim and his name and number 20 on the shirt and shorts, as well as white boots
Sudan scored one goal across their previous five Afcon games, losing four times and drawing once [BackPage Pix]

Sudan claimed their first Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) win since 2012 and took a significant step towards the knockout stage of the 2025 edition as Saul Coco's own goal in Casablanca condemned Equatorial Guinea to successive defeats in Group E.

After edging to victory in an intense first-ever Afcon meeting between the teams, the team who played their qualifiers outside Sudan because of the country's civil war are now firmly in contention to reach the second round.

With Equatorial Guinea losing their opener in last-gasp fashion to Burkina Faso, the National Thunder require an upset against Algeria in their third group-stage match if they are to have a chance of matching their run to the last 16 at the 2023 finals.

Coco turned a cross beyond goalkeeper Jesus Owono with 16 minutes remaining, ensuring Sudan's eight-game winless Afcon run - including defeat by Algeria four days ago - ended in a game characterised by wayward finishing.

Sudan join Burkina Faso, who they play in their closing game of the initial phase in Casablanca on Wednesday (16:00 GMT), and Algeria on three points, with their fellow leaders meeting in Rabat later on Sunday (17:30).

Equatorial Guinea meet Les Fennecs in Rabat at the same time on Wednesday, when the National Thunder must win to have a credible chance of going through as one of the best third-placed teams.

Category: General Sports