Sudan face their first major test of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign when they travel to Maputo to meet Mozambique on Tuesday, 29 September.
The match at the National Stadium in Do Zembito is the second Group 10 fixture for the “Falcons of Jediane”, who are seeking another appearance at the continental finals after beginning their qualifying campaign with a 1-0 victory.
Sudan’s current campaign has followed a familiar pattern to their previous qualification bid for the 2026 Morocco tournament. On both occasions, the team began its campaign at Juba Olympic Stadium and recorded 1-0 victories, beating Niger in the current qualifiers and Ethiopia in the previous campaign.
That similarity has given Sudan hope that they can once again navigate the qualifying process successfully and reach the finals for a second successive time.
However, the team has been affected by a series of technical and administrative problems ahead of the meeting with Mozambique.
Changes within the national team setup, including the departure of administrative director Abubakr Al-Mahi and assistant coach Salah Al-Fanj, have created uncertainty around the squad and placed head coach James Kwesi Appiah under additional pressure.
The disruption has also affected Appiah’s decisions, with some of his selections generating considerable debate ahead of the match.
Sudan’s preparations have been further complicated by the late arrival of members of the squad in Maputo. Several players are not expected to reach the team until only 24 hours before the match, with the delay attributed to poor organisation and a lack of coordination.
The location of the team’s training camp in Taif has also been questioned, adding to the difficulties faced by the squad during its preparations.
Travel arrangements have created another challenge. The route to the match venue has involved journeys through Nairobi and South Africa before the final trip to Maputo, increasing the physical demands on the players.
Despite those difficulties, the Sudanese delegation has received strong public support as well as a warm reception during its stay, providing a positive aspect to a preparation period otherwise marked by uncertainty.
The match against Mozambique will therefore provide an important test of Sudan’s ability to maintain its position at the top of Group 10 while dealing with the problems surrounding the team.
Appiah’s side will be looking to secure a positive result away from home on 29 September and continue the momentum created by their opening 1-0 victory.
The experience of the previous qualifying campaign also provides a reminder of the importance of the matches later in the group. Sudan will hope to prepare effectively for those decisive fixtures and reproduce the achievement of reaching the continental finals.
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
