Sudan Edge Equatorial Guinea In Tight Group E Battle

Sudan boosted their Africa Cup of Nations Group E hopes with a narrow but valuable 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea at the Stade Mohammed V, sealing the result through a late own goal in a match defined by discipline, resilience and fine goalkeeping.

The opening half was stop start and physical, disrupted by several injuries and long periods of added time. Equatorial Guinea saw plenty of the ball and tried to build through Pedro Obiang and Jose Machin, but clear chances were limited, while Sudan remained compact and patient, waiting for openings on the counter.

Both goalkeepers were called into action as the second half opened up, with Monged El Neel producing key saves to deny Emilio Nsue and Jose Machin as Equatorial Guinea pushed forward with greater urgency. Sudan responded with moments of their own, Mohamed Eisa and Aamir Abdallah testing the Equatoguinean defence from range.

The decisive moment arrived in the 74th minute when pressure from Sudan finally told. A dangerous delivery into the box caused confusion at the back and Saul Coco inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, handing Sudan a precious lead against the run of possession.

Equatorial Guinea threw everything forward in the closing stages, with Nsue going closest in stoppage time, only for El Neel to rise and claw away a powerful header in the centre of the goal. Sudan absorbed wave after wave of late pressure, showing composure and defensive organisation to see out the result.

The win lifts Sudan firmly into contention in Group E and rewards their tactical discipline, while Equatorial Guinea are left to rue missed opportunities in a match they largely controlled but failed to convert. With one round remaining, the group remains finely poised and every point now carries added weight.