Equatorial Guinea and Sudan will face off in a crucial Group E match for the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations. Both teams are desperately seeking their first points after losing in their opening fixtures. This encounter is set for 28 December at Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca, with kickoff at 16:00 local time (15:00 GMT). It marks the first encounter between these nations in the AFCON finals, although they met twice during the 2019 qualifiers, with Equatorial Guinea emerging victorious both times.
Historical Context
In their previous qualification matches, Equatorial Guinea won 1-0 on home soil in Bata on 8 September 2018, thanks to Emilio Nsue’s goal. In the return leg on 22 March 2019, Equatorial Guinea triumphed 4-1 in Sudan. Despite these victories, neither team qualified for the 2019 AFCON finals, as Senegal and Madagascar progressed from their group.
Team Performances
Equatorial Guinea: Key Statistics
- Started the tournament with a 2-1 loss to Burkina Faso.
- Marvin Anieboh scored the team’s only goal, marking his first international strike.
- The defeat was the first time Equatorial Guinea lost an AFCON match after taking the lead.
- Historically strong in second group games, with a record of three wins and one draw from four matches.
- They have never lost a second group game in AFCON history.
- Equatorial Guinea aims to avoid their third consecutive loss, a first in their AFCON history.
Sudan: Key Statistics
- Sudan’s loss to Algeria kept them winless in eight AFCON matches.
- They have scored in only one of their last five games at the tournament.
- Their last victory dates back to 2012 against Burkina Faso.
- Sudan has lost their last three AFCON matches, with previous defeats including scoring none in their last four opening matches.
- Coach Kwesi Appiah has yet to win an opening match in his AFCON coaching career.
Looking Ahead
Both teams understand the importance of this fixture. A loss for Equatorial Guinea would mean they start the tournament without a victory for the second consecutive AFCON. Meanwhile, Sudan seeks to break their negative streak and secure their first points. With both teams struggling, the upcoming match is poised to be highly competitive, making it essential for their respective campaigns.
