Sudan AFCON 2027 Squad β Key Facts
- Nation: πΈπ© Sudan (Nickname: Falcons of Jediane Β· Ψ΅ΩΩΨ± Ψ§ΩΨ¬Ψ―ΩΨ§Ω)
- Head coach: James Kwesi Appiah (Ghanaian)
- AFCON 2027 group: Group J β with πΈπ³ Senegal, π²πΏ Mozambique, πͺπΉ Ethiopia
- Matchday 1: Sudan vs Ethiopia β 25 September 2026, 16:00 GMT
- Matchday 2: Mozambique vs Sudan β 29 September 2026, 13:00 GMT (AWAY)
- Home venue: Juba (neutral venue used due to ongoing conflict)
- AFCON history: 10 appearances Β· Champions in 1970 Β· Reached AFCON 2025 in Morocco
- FIFA rank: 117 (July 2026)
Summary: Sudan head coach James Kwesi Appiah has named the Falcons of Jediane squad for the opening Matchday 1 and 2 fixtures of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers. Sudan face Ethiopia at Juba on 25 September before travelling to Maputo to meet Mozambique on 29 September. Ghanaian tactician Appiah has led Sudan to a genuinely successful period despite the challenges of ongoing conflict in the country β including qualification for AFCON 2025 in Morocco and a historic goalless draw with Senegal in World Cup qualifying. Sudan are drawn in Group J with Senegal, Mozambique, and Ethiopia.
Sudan begin their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign on 25 September against Ethiopia, in what is one of the more resilient stories in African football. Coach James Kwesi Appiah β the Ghanaian who took the Falcons of Jediane back to AFCON 2025 in Morocco despite ongoing civil unrest at home β has named his squad for the opening double-header. This article covers the coach, key players, Group J context, and Sudan’s realistic qualification chances.
The Coach β James Kwesi Appiah
Ghanaian tactician James Kwesi Appiah is one of the most experienced and respected coaches in African football. He led Ghana’s Black Stars to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil in his first spell as national coach, and returned for a second stint between 2017 and 2020. In September 2023 he took charge of Sudan, and what he has achieved since has been extraordinary given the context.
Under Appiah, Sudan:
- Qualified for AFCON 2025 in Morocco β their first tournament appearance since 2021
- Sat top of Group B in 2026 World Cup qualifying with 10 points from 4 matches
- Held Senegal (featuring Sadio ManΓ©) to a 0-0 draw in Benghazi
- Maintained team continuity through relocated home matches (Cairo, Benghazi, and now Juba)
The coach’s ability to keep the Falcons of Jediane competitive despite the players being scattered across clubs and countries β and matches played in neutral venues β is one of African football’s most impressive management jobs.
Key Players to Watch
πΈπ© Mohamed Abdel Rahman “Al-Ghorbal” (Al-Hilal) β Striker
The Al-Hilal striker is Sudan’s most prominent attacking player and one of the highest scorers in Falcons of Jediane history. His experience across Sudanese and regional football makes him the focal point of Appiah’s attack.
πΈπ© Bakhit Khamis β Captain
Team captain and leader of the squad. Provides on-pitch leadership and continuity in a squad that has had to relocate multiple times due to conflict.
πΈπ© Walieldin Khidir β Attacking Midfielder
Attacking midfielder who came close to breaking the deadlock against Senegal in that famous 0-0 draw β the miss in the 76th minute would have been one of the great African qualifier goals.
Group J β Sudan’s Path to AFCON 2027
| Group J Team | FIFA Rank | Threat Level |
|---|---|---|
| πΈπ³ Senegal | Top 20 | Group favourite |
| π²πΏ Mozambique | ~110 | Direct competitor for 2nd slot |
| πΈπ© Sudan | 117 | Fighting for 2nd slot |
| πͺπΉ Ethiopia | ~140 | Regional rival, opener |
Qualification maths: The top TWO teams from Group J qualify for AFCON 2027 (this is not a host group). Senegal are the clear first-place favourites. The second qualification spot is a genuine three-way battle between Sudan, Mozambique, and Ethiopia. Sudan’s opening two matches β against Ethiopia (MD1) and Mozambique (MD2) β are effectively the two most important fixtures of their entire campaign.
Sudan’s Matchday 1 and 2 Fixtures
| Matchday | Fixture | Date | Kick-off (GMT) | EAT | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD1 | πΈπ© Sudan v Ethiopia πͺπΉ | 25 Sep 2026 | 16:00 | 19:00 | Juba (neutral) |
| MD2 | π²πΏ Mozambique v Sudan πΈπ© | 29 Sep 2026 | 13:00 | 16:00 | EstΓ‘dio Nacional do Zimpeto, Maputo |
Sudan continue to play “home” fixtures at neutral venues due to the ongoing civil conflict in the country β with recent international matches held in Cairo, Benghazi and now Juba. This has become a defining feature of Kwesi Appiah’s tenure, and the players have adapted to the challenge better than anyone predicted.
Recent Form β The Case for Sudan
Despite everything the country has faced, the Falcons of Jediane have quietly assembled one of the most impressive African football stories of the last three years:
- Qualified for AFCON 2025 in Morocco despite civil war disruption
- Reached the top of Group B in 2026 World Cup qualifying
- Undefeated run under Kwesi Appiah in early World Cup qualifying campaign
- Historic 0-0 draw with Sadio ManΓ©’s Senegal in Benghazi
- 3-0 win over South Sudan in Juba
What Sudan lack in FIFA ranking they make up for in defensive resilience and tactical discipline. Under Appiah, they are difficult to beat β and often make up for a talent gap with organisation.
The Challenge Ahead
The two September fixtures are the most important of Sudan’s entire AFCON 2027 campaign. Beat Ethiopia at Juba on 25 September and take at least a point away at Mozambique on 29 September, and the Falcons of Jediane are in position to fight for the second Group J qualification slot. Drop points in either match and they are chasing the campaign from behind.
For Kwesi Appiah, who is quietly building a Sudan side capable of both AFCON qualification AND a first-ever World Cup appearance in 2026, the opening double-header sets the tone for what could be a historic 12 months of football for Sudan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Sudan head coach for AFCON 2027 qualifiers?
Ghanaian coach James Kwesi Appiah continues as head coach of the Falcons of Jediane. He has been in charge since September 2023 and led Sudan to AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
What group are Sudan in for AFCON 2027 qualifiers?
Sudan are in Group J alongside Senegal, Mozambique, and Ethiopia. Top two qualify for the tournament in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda in June-July 2027.
Where are Sudan playing their home matches?
Sudan continue to play home matches at neutral venues due to the ongoing conflict at home. The MD1 fixture against Ethiopia will be played at Juba. Previous matches under Kwesi Appiah have been staged in Cairo, Benghazi and other African neutral venues.
When is Sudan’s first AFCON 2027 qualifier?
Sudan’s first AFCON 2027 qualifier is against Ethiopia on 25 September 2026 at 16:00 GMT (19:00 EAT / 18:00 Juba local time) at Juba stadium.
What is Sudan’s AFCON history?
Sudan have appeared at 10 AFCON tournaments β the first in 1957. They were AFCON Champions in 1970 on home soil. Most recent appearance was AFCON 2021 in Cameroon. AFCON 2025 in Morocco was their return after a tournament absence.
Who is Sudan’s most important player?
Striker Mohamed Abdel Rahman “Al-Ghorbal” of Al-Hilal is Sudan’s most influential attacking player. Captain Bakhit Khamis provides leadership, and attacking midfielder Walieldin Khidir is a key creator in Appiah’s system.
What are Sudan’s realistic AFCON 2027 chances?
Sudan are one of three teams fighting for the second Group J qualification slot alongside Mozambique and Ethiopia. Realistic qualification chances depend heavily on the results of their opening two September fixtures β beat Ethiopia at Juba and avoid defeat in Maputo, and Sudan are strongly in the mix.
For the complete AFCON 2027 fixtures see our Matchday 1 & 2 schedule. For Mozambique’s squad see our Mambas preview. For the full tournament overview see our AFCON 2027 dates guide.
Squad and coach details based on Sudan Football Association announcement, CAF fixture confirmations, and reporting from foot-africa.com. Article will be updated with the full player list and any late squad changes.