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Algeria-Sudan match preview
Two elders African Cup of Nations Champions Algeria and Sudan face off in Rabat on Wednesday in a Group E match that could prove crucial to both countries’ qualification hopes.
After suffering back-to-back group stage eliminations at the last two CAN tournaments, Algeria enters the 2025 edition under pressure to make a strong opening statement against a Sudanese side without a victory in the final since 2012.
that of Algeria The last victory at the AFCON came in the 2019 final, when Baghdad Bounedjah’s deflected effort secured a 1-0 win over Senegal in Cairo.
Since then, the Fennecs have endured a difficult period in the tournament, failing to win any of their six matches in the 2021 and 2023 editions, collecting just three points from a possible 18 against Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Mauritania.
The unwanted series marked the first time Algeria had exited the group stage in consecutive AFCON tournaments, increasing scrutiny on the team as it begins its campaign in Morocco.
Vladimir Petkovic’s side arrive in encouraging form outside the final, having gone undefeated in AFCON qualifying with five wins and a draw, scoring 16 goals and finishing second top scorer behind Morocco.
The head coach is also confident in his team’s chances. Speaking ahead of the tournament, he said: “I’m confident. I truly believe we have what it takes to qualify for the second round. My role is to convey that belief to the players and show them that we can achieve good things together.”
Their offensive performance continued in World Cup qualifying, where Algeria scored 24 goals, second only to Ivory Coast, with Mohamed El Amine Amoura becoming the continent’s most prolific goalscorer during this phase.
Given these figures, another early elimination would represent a major disappointment for the two-time African champions.
Sudan return to the Africa Cup of Nations after missing out on the 2023 finals, qualifying despite significant challenges caused by their country’s ongoing conflict, which has forced them to play home matches abroad.
Under the captaincy of James Kwesi Appiah, Sudan produced strong performances in qualifying, including a goalless draw against Ghana and a 2-0 home win over the four-time champions.
They finished with two wins, two draws and two defeats, edging Niger by just one point, while Ghana failed to win any of their six matches.
Algeria-Sudan team news
Algeria are led by experienced figures Riyad Mahrez and Bagdad Bounedjah, both 34, with the duo aiming to end the team’s long wait for an AFCON victory.
Amoura’s emergence has eased the scoring burden on the veterans, who scored 10 goals in World Cup qualifying and accounted for more than 40 percent of Algeria’s total during that period.
Petkovic also has experienced options on the pitch, including Ramy Bensebaini, Ismael Bennacer and Youcef Atal, while Rayan Ait-Nouri could start at left-back.
Enzo Zidane should start in goal ahead of Anthony Mandrea.
The Sudanese team is largely based domestically, although several players play abroad, including Bakhit Khamis, Sheddy Barglan, brothers Eisa and Aamir Abdallah.
Mohamed Abdelrahman is the team’s top Sudanese scorer, while the qualifying campaign showed a distribution of goals among several players rather than relying on a single striker.
Lineup planned for the Algeria-Sudan match
Algeria: Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Belaïd, Aït-Nouri; Bennacer, Zerrouki; Mahrez, Moussa, Aouar; Bounedjah
Sudan: Abuja; Awad, Ering, Karshoum, Tabanja; Mozamil, Taifour, Khdir, Raouf; Mano, Abdulrahman
How to watch Algeria vs Sudan: TV channel, online streaming
DR Congo v Benin kicks off on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. UK time. In the UK, live CAN 2025 coverage is on Channel 4. In the United States, beIN Sports is the tournament broadcaster.
Statistics of the Algeria-Sudan match
• Algeria participates in its 21st African Cup of Nations final
• Algeria has not won any of its last six CAN matches
• Sudan returns to CAN after missing 2023 tournament
• Sudan has not won a CAN match since 2012
• Algeria remained undefeated in the CAN qualifiers with five wins and one draw.
• Mohamed El Amine Amoura scored 10 goals in World Cup qualifying
Prediction
Algeria’s attacking depth and strong qualifying form suggest they should have too much quality for Sudan, who continue to seek their first AFCON victory in more than a decade. With pressure mounting after recent tournament disappointments, the Fennecs are well placed to open their campaign with a convincing victory in Rabat.
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