Football
Mohamed Elfadul: Ghana upset proves Sudan can qualify for the World Cup
Mohamed Elfadul believes Sudan's shocking win over Ghana in AFCON qualifiers proves they can qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
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Sudan's hopes of qualifying for their first World Cup have been bolstered by the shocking victory over 'powerhouse' Ghana, says Mohamed Elfadul.
In one of the biggest upsets in African football, the Falcons of Jediane shocked the four-time African champions, the Black Stars, with a 2-0 victory in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture.
After a scoreless first half in Benghazi, Sudan surged to a historic victory as Ahmed Mahmoud and Mohamed Abdelrahman found the back of the net, putting the nation on the verge of qualifying for the biennial African football showpiece.
Praising his team's performance against the star-studded West Africans, the Al Hilal center-back believes the victory has instilled confidence in him and his international teammates that qualifying for the 2026 World Cup is an achievable goal, not an impossible dream.
"Defeating Ghana is one of the best moments in our football, but it would have felt even more special if it had been achieved in front of our home fans," Elfadul told SportsBoom.com.
"After holding them [Black Stars] in Accra, we knew we could secure a positive result in the second leg. From the kick-off, we made our intentions clear, and we’re glad that it all came together as planned.
"The big deal about this result is that has given us the confidence that we have what it takes to beat the best teams in African to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
"I will not say the Ghanaians underrated us; they are a tough side with a lot of quality we were not scared of them.
Having a Ghanaian as our head coach was a big advantage for us and I am pleased we took our chances.
Mohaed Elfadul
Too Early to Celebrate AFCON Qualification
With seven points from four matches in Group F, Sudan currently sit in second place, while Angola, who have already secured their spot in Morocco 2025, lead the group.
The East and Central African nation needs just a draw in their next two matches against Niger Republic and Angola to pick the second qualifying spot.
For Elfadul, the matches against the Menas and Palancas Negras will be approached with full seriousness, aiming to bring joy to the nation despite the ongoing civil war.
He continued: "This result [against Ghana] has taken us closer to AFCON qualification but will approach our last two games like a final match because we don’t want this to slip off our hands.”
"After the draw was made, Sudan was tagged as underdogs and many did not expect us to make any impact, but we have been able to prove everyone.
"More importantly, qualifying for Morocco will bring joy to my countrymen even in the face of the ongoing crisis. We really have what we are fighting for."
Sudan's last AFCON appearance was in 2021 in Cameroon, where they were eliminated in the group stage after suffering defeats to Nigeria and Egypt, along with a draw against Guinea-Bissau.
Qualifying for World Cup would be transformative
Just like their performance in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, the Sudanese national team has shown great promise in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
With three wins and one draw, James Kwesi Appiah’s team is at the top of the group, ahead of powerhouses DR Congo and Senegal. Elfadul remains optimistic, noting the positives if his country secures one of Africa's spots at the global football showcase.
He added: "Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup is our ultimate goal but we will take the games as they come and not put ourselves under pressure.
"Things are looking good for us in our group and playing at that stage [World Cup] is the dream of every player.
"If this happens, it will change our lives forever because some of us will get to play in big European teams and it will also draw positive attention to Sudan."
Sudan's next challenge is a double-header of Africa Nations Championship qualifiers against Tanzania. The first leg will be held at Stade Cheikha Ould Boidiy on October 27, with the return match taking place a week later in Mbagala.
Shina Oludare is a notable Nigerian sports journalist and writer recognized for his extensive coverage of African sports. He has made significant contributions to the field through his work with reputable media outlets such as Goal.com and Soccernet. Known for his insightful analysis and comprehensive reporting, Oludare covers a wide range of topics within African football, including domestic leagues, national teams, and emerging talents. His work includes detailed player profiles, match previews and reviews, and transfer news, providing valuable insights into the intricacies of the sport on the continent.