Sudan claimed their first Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) win since 2012 and took a significant step towards the knockout stage of the 2025 edition as Saul Coco's own goal in Casablanca condemned Equatorial Guinea to successive defeats in Group E.
2025 Africa Cup of Nations
0-1
Match Report
After edging to victory in an intense first-ever Afcon meeting between the teams, the team who played their qualifiers outside Sudan because of the country's civil war are now firmly in contention to reach the second round.
With Equatorial Guinea losing their opener in last-gasp fashion to Burkina Faso, the National Thunder require an upset against Algeria in their third group-stage match if they are to match their run to the last 16 at the 2023 finals.
Coco turned a cross beyond goalkeeper Jesus Owono with 16 minutes remaining, ensuring Sudan's eight-game winless Afcon run - including defeat by Algeria four days ago - ended in a game characterised by wayward finishing.
Sudan join Burkina Faso, who they play in their closing game of the initial phase in Casablanca on Wednesday (16:00 GMT), and Algeria on three points, with their fellow leaders meeting in Rabat later on Sunday (17:30).
Equatorial Guinea meet Les Fennecs in Rabat at the same time on Wednesday, when the National Thunder must win to have a credible chance of going through as one of the best third-placed teams.
Line-ups
Equatorial Guinea XI: Obiang, Mascarell, Carlos Akapo, Iban Salvador, Pepín Machín, Marvin Anieboh, Esteban Orozco, Santiago Eneme, Saúl Coco, Jesús Owono, Loren Zúñiga
Subs: Emilio Nsue, Manuel Sapunga, Aitor Embela, Pablo Ganet, Josete Miranda, Jannick Buyla, Álex Masogo, Álex Balboa, Luis Asué, Dorian Hanza, Néstor Senra, Charles Ondo, Nabil Ondó, Jhonny Andonis, Prince Ngaah
Sudan XI: Bakhit Khamis, Mo Eisa, Monged Elneel, Mohamed Abdelrahman, Mustafa Karshom, Abdelrazig Omer, Mohamed Saeed Ahmed, Walieldin Khidir, Amar Yunis Abdallah, Ammar Taifour, Sheddy Barglan
Subs: Ali Abdallah Abu-Eshrein, Yasir Mozamil, Mohamed Abooja, Mazin Mohamedein, Ahmed Tabanja, Al-Gozoli Nooh, Altayeb Abaker, Awad Zaid, John Mano, Yaser Awad Boshara, Muhamed Tia Asad, Abdelsamad Manan