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,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.

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 Badamasi  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 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.

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

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  and Pharco striker Saif Thierry   at the attacking end of the pitch.

Appiah should stick with the back four of Bakhlit 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

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com