Sudan will face 2022 champions Senegal in the round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations after a 2-0 loss to Burkina Faso in their final Group E match on Wednesday, while Algeria secured a 3-1 victory over Equatorial Guinea in a simultaneous fixture.
Burkina Faso took an early lead at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca through Lassina Traore, before Sudan missed a chance to level when Algozoli Nooh failed to convert from the penalty spot. Arsene Kouassi, who plays for French Ligue 1 side Lorient, wrapped up the win late in the game.
Both sides had already secured qualification for the knockout stage behind group leaders Algeria, with Burkina Faso only needing to avoid defeat to finish second.
The 2013 runners-up will now head to Marrakesh for a last-16 clash against the winners of Group F, which will be decided later on Wednesday as defending champions Ivory Coast battle Cameroon and Mozambique for top position.
Despite the defeat, Sudan progressed as one of the best third-placed teams, having earlier edged Equatorial Guinea 1-0. It was their second loss in three group matches.
“Burkina has a very good team. Most of their players are playing in top European sides so automatically when you play against them it is not going to be an easy ride,” Sudan coach Kwesi Appiah said.
Ranked 117th in the world, Sudan have managed just two wins in 19 AFCON matches since lifting the trophy in 1970. This is only their second appearance in the knockout stage since then, and an upset against Senegal in Tangier on Saturday would be considered a major surprise.
Still, reaching this stage is a significant achievement for a nation affected by ongoing conflict since fighting erupted between the army and the Rapid Support Forces in April 2023.
“It is good for everyone in Sudan and it is also good for the players as it is up to them to prove that they can play against a team like Senegal,” Appiah added.
“Senegal is a big football country and we will be sure to play a very good game.
Traore, of Shakhtar Donetsk, opened the scoring with a header from Stephane Aziz Ki’s lofted cross in the 16th minute, as Burkina Faso fielded seven changes from their previous match.
Sudan were awarded a penalty midway through the first half after Burkina Faso goalkeeper Herve Koffi fouled Algozoli while rushing out, but the winger sent the kick wide of the left post.
Koffi, who appeared injured, was replaced at half-time. His substitute, Kilian Nikiema, was rarely tested before Kouassi made it 2-0 with five minutes remaining.
Elsewhere, Algeria completed the group stage with a perfect record, easing past Equatorial Guinea in Rabat. With qualification already secured and their opponents eliminated, Algeria made nine changes ahead of a round-of-16 meeting with the Democratic Republic of Congo next Tuesday.
Despite the rotation, the two-time champions dominated early, scoring three goals in a 14-minute first-half spell. Zineddine Belaid headed in from a corner to open the scoring, Ibrahim Maza set up Fares Chaibi for the second, and Maza later added the third himself. Emilio Nsue reduced the deficit for Equatorial Guinea.
