Sudan head into CHAN 2024 hoping to recapture the form that saw them finish third during their debut tournament on home soil in 2011. This will be their fourth appearance at the African Nations Championship, having also featured in Morocco 2018 & Algeria 2022 editions. Despite being a proud football nation with clubs that have regularly featured in continental competitions, Sudan has not yet gone beyond the semifinals in this competition. The Falcons of Jediane are quietly confident of making a statement in East Africa, especially with the backing of players from domestic powerhouse Al Hilal Omdurman.

Sudan’s buildup to this tournament has been anything but ordinary. In the face of civil war, domestic football was thrown into disarray. Yet, from that adversity emerged a remarkable story: Al Hilal Omdurman, Sudan’s football powerhouse, relocated to Mauritania for the 2024/25 season. There, they not only competed but beat local giants Nouadhibou to be declared honorary champions of the Mauritanian league. This extraordinary journey provided critical game time and high-level exposure to a core group of Sudanese players.

The final squad for CHAN 2024 reflects that continuity, with 13 players drawn from Al Hilal. It’s a club that has consistently featured in the CAF Champions League group stage for seven consecutive seasons, reaching the quarterfinals in the most recent edition. That pedigree, especially when other African clubs declined to release players, could be Sudan’s greatest asset.

That familiarity and high-level experience could prove decisive under Ghanaian tactician Kwesi Appiah, who took over in late 2023. Appiah previously coached Al Khartoum and brings both local experience and international pedigree, having managed Ghana at multiple AFCON and World Cup events.

Official CHAN 2024 Squad.

Goalkeepers:

Ahmed Al-Fateh Ahmed (Al-Merrikh SC), Mohamed Al-Nour Adam (Al-Zamalek Umm Rawaba), Mohamed Madani (Al-Hilal Omdurman)

Defenders:

Ramadan Agab Shareef (Al-Merrikh SC), Awad Zaid Gadin (Al-Merrikh SC), Mohamed Ahmed Said Aring (Al-Hilal Omdurman), Altayeb Abdelrazek (Al-Hilal Omdurman), Mazen Bashir Simbo (Al-Hilal Omdurman), Musab Mohamed Makeen (Al-Merrikh SC), Faris Abdullah Mamoun (Al-Hilal Omdurman)
Midfielders: Ahmed Abdelmonem Ahmed Tobanja (Al-Merrikh SC), Mohamed Al-Rashid Mahmoud (Al-Merrikh SC), Salah Eldin Adel (Al-Hilal Omdurman), Waleedin Khidr Pogba (Al-Hilal Omdurman), Al-Misbah Faisal (Al-Amal Atbara), Abdelrazek Omar Abdelraouf (Al-Hilal Omdurman), Ahmed Ismat Kanan (Al-Hilal Omdurman)

Forwards:

Yasir Muzamil Altayeb (Al-Hilal Omdurman), Mubarak Abdullah (Al-Merrikh SC), Yasir Awad Bashara Jobak (Al-Hilal Omdurman), Mousa Hussein Mousa Kante (Al-Merrikh SC), Mazen Fadl Al-Bahly (Hai Al-Wadi Nyala), Mohamed Tia Abodagn Asad (Al-Merrikh SC), Ali Abdullah Hamad Elneel Kabba (Al-Hilal Omdurman), Mohamed Abdelrahman Yousif (Al-Hilal Omdurman)

Star Watch:

Abdelrazek Omar Abdelraouf (Al-Hilal Omdurman) is the creative heartbeat of Sudan’s midfield. He offers excellent vision, composure, and the ability to control the game’s rhythm. His performances for Al Hilal in the CAF Champions League have made him one of the most technically polished players in the squad. If Sudan are to progress deep into the tournament, much will rely on his distribution and influence.

Yasir Muzamil (Al-Hilal Omdurman) is a pacy, versatile attacker who can play across the forward line. He brings energy and unpredictability, is known for making smart diagonal runs, and has chipped in with crucial goals for his club. His movement could be vital in unlocking stubborn defenses.

Mohamed Abdelrahman Yousif “Al Gharbal” (Al-Hilal Omdurman) is the most experienced figure in the squad and a proven scorer with international caps for Sudan’s senior side. His leadership and clinical finishing provide Sudan with a reliable outlet up front. He brings calmness and a goal threat that could tip the balance in tight encounters.

Waleedin Khidr Pogba (Al-Hilal Omdurman) adds physical presence and box-to-box energy. His tackling and engine are essential for Sudan’s balance, and his performances in high-pressure club matches give them steel in midfield.

Fixtures and Group Overview

August 5: Congo vs Sudan – Amaan Stadium, Zanzibar
August 12: Nigeria vs Sudan – Amaan Stadium, Zanzibar
August 19: Senegal vs Sudan – Amaan Stadium, Zanzibar

Sudan may not be among the early tournament favorites, but with a core from continental stalwarts Al Hilal and tactical direction under Kwesi Appiah, they have the ingredients to cause an upset. Discipline, midfield control, and quick transitions will be key if they are to make it out of a difficult group. If their big names step up, a semifinal return isn’t out of the question.