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Moments like this are why we love the sport so much. Sudan booked its ticket to Cameroon for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating South Africa 2-0 on Sunday in the final day of Group C play.
This was the first time Sudan had qualified for the competition in nearly a decade and the reaction after the full time whistle says it all.
Mabrouk SUDAN!
After 10 years there will be playing an AFCON!After everything they’ve been through #AFCON2021Q pic.twitter.com/Xle5emZZ8X— BabaGol (@BabaGol_) March 28, 2021
Heading into Sunday’s game the odds were stacked against the Falcons of Jediane. Prior to the fixtures on Sunday, Group C of AFCON qualifying looked like this:
Group C Standings (Prior To Match Day 6)
Ghana (10 points)
South Africa (10 points)
Sudan (9 points)
São Tomé and Príncipe (0 points)
Ghana was a shoo-in for qualification and secured it with a straightforward 3-1 victory against minnows São Tomé and Príncipe. For Sudan, this meant that only a victory against South Africa would do.
Sudan vs. South Africa Highlights
Sudan took less than five minutes to snag the lead with a brilliant header off a set piece.
Bafana Bafana turned up the heat after conceding the first goal and looked poised to find an equalizer. Only some last-ditch defending kept the Sudan lead intact.
Samawal Merghani! A clearance as important as a goal! @SFASocial | #TotalAFCONQ2021 pic.twitter.com/ekJYb6fuSJ
— CAF (@CAF_Online) March 28, 2021
Then, in the 32nd minute, Sudan hit on a quick counterattack that was finished beautifully by Mohamed Abdel Raman.
Dribble Score
Mohammed Abdelrahman's goal against South Africa is simply art #TotalAFCONQ2021 | @SFASocial pic.twitter.com/ebHYaQFGNd— CAF (@CAF_Online) March 28, 2021
Sudan held out for the second half and became the latest team to secure qualification. This will be the first Africa Cup of Nations for Sudan since 2012 and the country’s ninth overall. The full field of 24 teams will be revealed on the final day of AFCON qualifiers, Tuesday.
Who joins Sudan as the latest additions to the AFCON nations heading to Cameroon in 2022?
down.
to go.Updates from across the continent right here.#JoySports pic.twitter.com/He2CB8l7TF
— #JoySports (@JoySportsGH) March 29, 2021
