Sudan’s awe-inspiring run the 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan) held in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania has brought smiles on the faces of people back at home in the country devastated by civil war.
The Sudanese national team, nicknamed ‘Falcons of Jediane,’ thumped Nigeria’s Super Eagles 4-0 in their Group “D” opening at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar on August 12, sending shockwaves in the tournament.
In their next Group ‘D’ matches, Sudan drew 1-1 with Senegal, and registered a 0-0 with Congo to finish top of the group on five points ahead of Senegal who collected the same number of points, but with an inferior goal difference.
In the quarter-finals, Sudan beat Algeria 4-2 on penalties after 1-1 draw in regular and extra time to qualify for the semi-finals.
The team powered to the semi-final where they lost 1-0 to Madagascar in extra time of a pulsating encounter at Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on August 26.
In a country that has not had a domestic football league for two years because of the war between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), Falcons of Jediane’s run in East Africa has delighted Sudanese.
Sudan’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Professor Ahmed Adam, congratulated the players in an official message carried by the Sudan News Agency (Suna), praising their “heroic performance and high spirits, which reflected true patriotism and excellent preparation”.
One fan on social media wrote: “Despite the circumstances, football remains Sudan’s bright face.”
Some dared to dream big, saying: “I see our team in the 2026 World Cup finals.”
But others were more skeptical, with one posting: “Will this win stop the war? Will it bring people back home?”
Soon after the team qualified for the semi-finals, the Council of East and Central African Football Associations (Cecafa) congratulated the team.
“We wish Sudan all the best as they advance to the semi-finals,” Cecafa Executive Director Auka Gecheo said in a statement on August 26.
“Cecafa also congratulates co-hosts Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania upon reaching the quarter-final stage of the competition,”Gecheo said.
The valiant Sudan take on deposed champions Senegal in a third place play-off at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole in Kampala on August 29.
The ‘Falcons of Jediane’ will be looking to match their third place finishes achieved in 2011 when they hosted the tournament, and in 2018 in Morocco.
