### Sudan's Historic Victory: A Long-Awaited Win at AFCON 2025 Sudan's national football team achieved a significant milestone by securing a 1-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, held in Morocco. This win marks Sudan's first victory in the tournament since 2012, reviving their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages. The decisive moment came from an unfortunate own goal by Equatorial Guinea's defender Saul Coco in the 74th minute, which ultimately sealed the match for Sudan [https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/football/2025/12/29/soccer-own-goal-hands-sudan-fortunate-win-over-guinea-at-cup-of-nations][https://www.africa-press.net/en/sport/sudan-earns-first-afcon-win-in-13-years]. ### Breakdown of the Match and Its Implications 1. **Match Overview**: - Sudan faced Equatorial Guinea in a crucial Group E encounter. - The match ended with a score of 1-0, thanks to an own goal by Saul Coco [https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/football/2025/12/29/soccer-own-goal-hands-sudan-fortunate-win-over-guinea-at-cup-of-nations]. 2. **Historical Context**: - This victory is Sudan's first in AFCON since 2012, ending a 13-year wait for a win in the tournament [https://yen.com.gh/sports/football/297097-afcon-2025-kwesi-appiah-masterminds-historic-win-sudan-equatorial-guinea]. - Sudan has only won twice in their last 18 AFCON matches, highlighting the rarity of this achievement [https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/world-soccer/sudan-beat-equatorial-guinea-rare-afcon-win]. 3. **Impact on Tournament Progression**: - The win revitalizes Sudan's chances of qualifying for the knockout stage of the tournament, a critical goal for the team [https://www.sbnews.co.za/sudan-revive-last‑16-bid-with-hard‑fought-win-over-equatorial-guinea]. - The match was characterized by a strong defensive performance from Sudan, which was crucial in maintaining their lead after the own goal [https://www.panafricafootball.com/post/afcon-sudan-v-equatorial-guinea]. ### Key Statistics and Highlights - **Match Result**: Sudan 1 - 0 Equatorial Guinea - **Decisive Moment**: Own goal by Saul Coco in the 74th minute [https://thewillnews.com/cocos-own-goal-gives-sudan-vital-afcon-victory-over-equatorial-guinea]. - **Historical Significance**: First AFCON win for Sudan in 13 years, marking a potential turning point for the team [https://ghettoradio.co.ke/afcon-2025-sudan-ends-13-year-wait-with-historic-win-over-equatorial-guinea]. ### Conclusion: A Turning Point for Sudanese Football In summary, **Sudan's victory over Equatorial Guinea is not just a win; it symbolizes a resurgence in their footballing fortunes**. The team, under the guidance of coach Kwesi Appiah, has reignited hopes for a successful AFCON campaign. This match serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football, where a single moment can change the course of a tournament. 1. Sudan's win is a historic achievement, ending a long drought in AFCON victories. 2. The own goal by Coco was a pivotal moment that defined the match. 3. This victory enhances Sudan's chances of progressing in the tournament, marking a potential revival for the national team [https://www.africa-press.net/en/sport/sudan-earns-first-afcon-win-in-13-years][https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/world-soccer/sudan-beat-equatorial-guinea-rare-afcon-win].