Coach James Kwesi Appiah led Sudan to their first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory since 2012, boosting their chances of reaching the knockout stage at the 2025 tournament after an own goal by Saúl Coco handed Equatorial Guinea a second straight defeat in Group E.

The decisive moment came in Casablanca when Coco inadvertently turned a cross past his own goalkeeper, Jesús Owono, with 16 minutes remaining. 

The result ended Sudan’s eight-match winless run at AFCON, which included a loss to Algeria four days earlier, in a game marked by wasteful finishing.

Sudan’s qualification for the finals was itself a remarkable achievement, given the conflict that has engulfed the country since April 2023. Having managed just one point at the 2021 tournament in their only appearance since 2012, this victory significantly strengthens their hopes of progressing to the next round.

After edging an intense first-ever AFCON meeting between the two sides, Sudan—who played their qualifiers outside the country due to the ongoing civil war—are now firmly in contention for a place in the second round.

Equatorial Guinea, who lost their opening match to Burkina Faso in stoppage time, must now cause an upset against Algeria in their final group fixture if they are to keep alive their hopes of matching their run to the last 16 at the 2023 finals.

Sudan join Burkina Faso and Algeria on three points, with Sudan set to face Burkina Faso in their final group match in Casablanca on Wednesday (16:00 GMT). Algeria and Burkina Faso meet later on Sunday in Rabat (17:30 GMT).

Equatorial Guinea will also be in action on Wednesday, facing Algeria in Rabat at the same time, knowing that only a win will give them a realistic chance of qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams.