Sudan and Angola bring their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign to an end when they lock horns at the Martyrs of February Stadium on Monday.
While the Black Sable Antelopes have already secured a spot in Morocco next year, James Kwesi Appiah's men sit three points above third-placed Niger and need at least a draw to guarantee their place in the continental showpiece.
Match preview
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Sudan's quest to return to the Africa Cup of Nations suffered a slight blow as they fell to a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Niger when the two sides squared off at the Stade de Kegue on Thursday.
In a one-sided affair, goals from Youssouf Oumarou, Ousseni Badamassi and a first-half brace from 26-year-old Daniel Sosah saw Niger cruise to an emphatic victory and keep their slim qualifying hopes alive.
For Sudan, this was a far cry from their impressive team display on October 15, when they picked up a 2-0 victory over a star-stuffed Ghana side courtesy of quick-fire strikes from Ahmed Hamed Mahmoud and Mohamed Abdelrahman.
Appiah's men have lost two of their five AFCON qualifying matches while picking up two wins and one draw from their five matches to collect seven points and sit second in Group F, six points off Angola and three above Niger, who have a stronger goal difference (+2).
While Sudan need a point on Monday to avoid late drama and secure a spot in AFCON for the first time since 2021, they will need to show their mettle against an opposing side whom they have failed to get the better of in their last five meetings, losing twice and claiming three draws since August 1988.
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On the other hand, Angola's 100% record in the 2025 AFCON qualifying campaign came to an end on Friday as they played out a 1-1 draw with Ghana when the two sides met in Luanda's Estadio 11 de Novembro.
Leicester City forward Jordan Ayew netted a stunning long-range free kick in the 18th minute to put Ghana in front but 22-year-old striker Zini restored parity in the 64th minute to hand the hosts a share of the spoils.
Prior to that, Angola picked up four wins from their four games in Group F, seeing off Ghana and Sudan in September before claiming two back-to-back victories over Niger within the space of four days in October's double-header.
Pedro Goncalves's men head into Monday's group finale as one of just eight nations yet to suffer defeat in the qualifying campaign and are unbeaten in each of their last 13 matches across all competitions, claiming nine wins and four draws since a 1-0 friendly defeat against Morocco in April.
This fine run of results has seen Angola rise into fourth place in Group D of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers while also clinching the 2024 COSAFA Cup in July, when they thrashed Namibia 5-0 in the final at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Team News
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Sudan will head into Monday's clash without the services of Ahmed Hamed Mahmoud, who was forced off injured in the 23rd minute against Niger on Friday.
In his absence, 32-year-old Yasir Mozamil will push for a starting role, potentially teaming up with Ebo Eisa and Pharco striker Saif Thierry at the attacking end of the pitch.
Appiah should stick with the back four of Bakhit Khamis, Mohamed Saeed, Abdel Rahman Koko and Ramadan Agab, while we expect Mohamed Abdelrahman, Salaheldin Adil and Mohamed Abuaagla to team up in the centre of the park.
With his equaliser against Ghana, Zini has now scored Angola's two goals in their last two matches and the Greece-based striker will be looking to deliver the goods once again.
Former Nottingham Forest defender David Carmo, who made his debut for Angola in March, should form the centre-back pairing with experienced Bastos while Fredy, Show and Antonio Hossi should retain their roles in midfield.
Sudan possible starting lineup:
Abou; Khamis, Saeed, Koko, Agab; Abdelrahman, Adil, Abuaagla; Mozamil, Eisa, Thierry
Angola possible starting lineup:
Neblu; Gaspar, Bastos, Carmo, Fortuna; Hossi, Fredy, Show; Luvumbo, Nzola, Milson
We say: Sudan 1-1 Angola
While Monday's game is nothing but a dead rubber for Angola, who have already sealed their spot in Morocco, Sudan need a point to guarantee second place in Group F irrespective of the result in the other group fixture.
Given the stake of the game, we predict that Appiah's men will go all out on Monday and force a share of the spoils with the Black Sable Antelopes at the Martyrs of February Stadium.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
