Sudan made a powerful statement on the opening day of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with a commanding victory over São Tomé and Príncipe on Wednesday. Playing at home, the Nile Crocodiles completely dominated the encounter and secured an emphatic 4–0 win, leaving their opponents with little room to breathe throughout the match.
From the first whistle, Sudan imposed their rhythm and intensity, quickly taking control of possession and pushing forward with confidence. Their attacking approach paid off as they consistently troubled the São Tomé defense, creating numerous chances and keeping the visitors pinned back in their own half.
The breakthrough came through Ramadan Agab, who opened the scoring and set the tone for the rest of the match. His goal energized both the team and the home crowd, giving Sudan the momentum they needed to press even harder. São Tomé struggled to respond and found it difficult to organize themselves against the relentless pressure.
Sudan doubled their advantage thanks to Ahmed Hamed Eltetsh, whose finish further exposed the defensive weaknesses of the visitors. With a comfortable lead, the hosts continued to attack rather than sit back, showing their determination to make a strong start to the qualifying campaign.
Mohamed Al-Rasheed then added a third goal, effectively putting the result beyond doubt. As São Tomé tried to regroup, mistakes began to creep into their play, and their frustration became evident. The situation worsened when Jordão Diogo accidentally turned the ball into his own net, handing Sudan a fourth goal and sealing a comprehensive victory.
The 4–0 scoreline reflected Sudan’s clear superiority on the day. Organized at the back and clinical in front of goal, the Nile Crocodiles delivered a complete performance that will boost their confidence as the qualifiers progress. The win allows them to take early control of the group standings while awaiting the outcome of the clash between Ghana and South Africa in Cape Coast.
For Sudan, this dream start provides both valuable points and a psychological edge. Beginning the campaign with such a convincing triumph sends a strong message to their group rivals and highlights their ambition to fight for a place at the continental tournament.
Looking ahead, Sudan will face a tougher challenge as they travel to take on South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in their next fixture. Meanwhile, São Tomé and Príncipe will aim to bounce back at home when they host the Black Stars of Ghana, hoping for a better performance after a difficult opening match.
With confidence high and momentum on their side, Sudan will be eager to build on this impressive display as the road to AFCON 2021 continues.
