Sudan captain Mohamed Abdelrahman says pride and a strong sense of responsibility are driving the Falcons of Jediane after they secured qualification from the group stage of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco 2025.
The 1970 champions booked a place in the Round of 16 after finishing among the four best third-placed teams. Abdelrahman described the achievement as a moment of joy for the Sudanese people, particularly amid the difficult realities caused by the ongoing conflict back home.
The skipper highlighted the importance of the milestone, stressing that the team remains focused on taking the competition one step at a time as attention turns to the knockout phase.
Sudan will face former champions Senegal in the Round of 16 on Saturday, January 3, in what Abdelrahman expects to be a challenging encounter.
Despite the quality of the opposition, the captain underlined that determination, self-belief and a strong desire to perform will continue to define Sudan’s approach.
In an interview with CAFOnline.com, Abdelrahman reflected on Sudan reaching the AFCON knockout stage for the first time since 2012, describing the feat as the result of unity, collective effort and a shared commitment to making the Sudanese people proud.
He also paid tribute to the unwavering support of Sudanese fans at home and in Morocco, reaffirming his and his teammates’ pledge to give everything on the pitch in honour of the nation.
Speaking on the significance of qualification, Abdelrahman said progressing beyond the group stage had been a key objective from the outset of the tournament.
“Advancing past the group stage was a strategic objective for us before the start of this edition, and thank God we managed to achieve it. It was a big and necessary step,” he said.
“We feel both proud and happy because we were able to bring joy to the Sudanese people. Despite the ongoing war, Sudanese fans everywhere are following the team with passion. Football has become one of the few sources of happiness under the current circumstances.”
Looking ahead to the knockout rounds, Abdelrahman insisted the team remains focused and ambitious.
“We are approaching this tournament step by step. Our current objective is to reach the next round despite the fierce competition expected against Senegal. We will seek to prove our worth, and we have pledged to give everything, with success coming from God.”
On the upcoming clash with Senegal, he added:
“It will be a very difficult match by all standards. Senegal are a strong and experienced team with a rich history in this competition. The key to victory will be our determination, perseverance, belief in ourselves and our desire to go far in the tournament.”
Addressing the fans, Abdelrahman expressed his appreciation for their continued support.
“We thank all our fans for their constant moral support. We are truly grateful and promise to give even more in the challenges ahead in order to honour our country.”
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
