We now go to Sudan where football fans are missing the national team’s good old days…

Sudan at CAN 2012Gone are the days when Sudan were among world football’s top 40 teams. The Falcons of Jediane are currently in 113th position. Coach Mohamed Abdalla will lead the team during the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and in Equatorial Guinea.

Sudan's bright past

Sudan hlosted the first edition of the Nations Cup in 1957. However, they had no success as they lost 2-1 in the semi-finals to eventual champions Egypt. Two years later, the Falcons of Jediane had the opportunity to participate in the tournament again. They finished second behind the United Arab Republic.

 

Finally, the Sudanese national team took the African stage by storm. At the 1970 African Cup of Nations, the Falcons made sure to use their home advantage to the maximum. The 10-day tournament involved the likes of continental giants Ghana, Cameroon, Egypt and Cote d’Ivoire. So how did Sudan topple them to clinch the title?

In the group phase, the Falcons of Jediane cruised to a 3-0 defeat of Ethiopia. Sudan also forced the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon to a 2-1 defeat in Khartoum. They qualified as runners-up behind the Ivoirians against whom they lost on the second Matchday. On their way to the final, the Sudanese recorded a historic victory against their long-time foes from the United Arab Republic. They beat Ghana by a lone goal to nil to grab gold.

This triumph marked the end of Sudan’s days as one of Africa’s most dangerous nations. Since 1970, the Falcons of Jediane have made only three appearances at the Cup of Nations. CAN 2012 will see the Sudanese participate in Africa’s biggest championship for the eighth time.

Sudan at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations

Sudan were poised to reach Gabon-Equatorial from the very start of the qualification campaign. Congo and Swaziland virtually had no chance to make it as Ghana got tipped to qualify as winners of Group I. The task at the 2012 AFCON looks tougher. The presence of Angola alongside Cote d’Ivoire suggests that the competition for Group B’s top two spots will be a three-horse race.

Sudan’s 2012 AFCON squad list goes as follows:

Goalkeepers: Akram Al Hadi, Bhaldien Mohammed, Mouez Mohjob     

Defenders: Ngemaldien Abdullah, Khaliefa Ahmed, Siefaldien Ali    , Ahmed Al Basha, Mowaia Bashir, Ittihad Madani, Bala Jaber, Mosab Omar     

Midfielders: Mohammed Ahmed Bashir, Baderaldien Aldoud, Mohamed Al Tahir, Nazer Hamed, Amier Kamal, Mohammed Moussi, Faisal Musa    , Haitham Mustafa, Alaadine Yousif     

Forwards: Ramadan Alagab, Al Mourada, Abdulrahman Hassan, Eltaib Mudather, Mohammed Sheikh Eldin

Read next team profile - Tunisia.