Afcon Offering A Ray of Light to Sudan Amid Internal Conflict

The team's involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations is described as "providing a lift" to its people in the midst of a devastating internal conflict, says forward Abobaker Eisa.

The land has been grappling with what global organizations call the world's largest emergency since April 2023, when a clash for control between the national army and a paramilitary group, the RSF, led to full-scale conflict.

Reports indicate more than countless lives have been taken, and millions have been uprooted from their dwellings, with widespread famine and accounts of atrocities in the Darfur area.

The situation forced Sudan to play all their pre-tournament fixtures on foreign soil, but they successfully progress to book their tournament berth for only the fourth occasion since 1976.

The former champions will meet The Algerian team (December 24th), Equatorial Guinea (28 December), and The Burkinabe squad (December 31st) in the first round, and Eisa states that every match is a "big deal" and a welcome distraction for those in Sudan.

"There's a lot bad things taking place in Sudan. We, as footballers, we are acutely aware how much of a significant role football can be to our homeland," Eisa commented.

"There's not a lot of smiles at the moment, so we're aiming to use football as a tool to get their minds off [the war].

"Even reaching the Afcon and seeing supporters there to cheer us on – the very presence that we're there is already bringing hope."

Players Overseas

Eisa, who has played for a several lower league English clubs including Scunthorpe United, Bradford City and Grimsby Town, currently plays for the Thai club Chonburi.

Furthermore, his fellow players who are from Sudanese teams Al-Hilal and Al-Merrikh are now based overseas, with the ongoing conflict causing the clubs to relocate initially to Mauritania and subsequently to Rwanda.

An Origin of Strength and Heartache

But despite being far from Sudan, the team's focus are never far from the war, which Eisa says can be both "demoralizing" and a source of "strength".

"It is challenging to ignore the situation. Some people's loved ones are still in the country, numerous people's families have been touched by this," said Eisa.

"Naturally, you talk [about] what's going on, and what can be done, and donating wherever we can.

"Understanding that we could do something for them, it gives us strength. However, it's tough at times – you can only do so much."

He added: "As long as we go out there and fight for our nation, I think everyone will be pleased."