With both sides tasting defeat in their opening group games, a positive reaction was needed in each camp. It was Equatorial Guinea who started the game in the ascendancy, squandering two big chances in the opening 25 minutes.
Former West Ham United midfielder Pedro Obiang went closest as he fired a rebound narrowly over the bar, after a poor defensive clearance left him stretching for a tap-in.
A lengthy stoppage midway through the half ensured there’d be a sizable chunk of stoppage time, but neither team were able to capitalise and create anything of note, with the National Thunder failing to take advantage of their early domination.
Those frustrations were felt by both sides, with three yellow cards brandished, two coming in quick succession before the break, but it failed to ignite any moments of quality.
The will to win was evident from both sides despite the lack of quality in the final third, which was perfectly demonstrated by Equatorial Guinea’s swift counter-attack just after the break, with substitute Jose Nabil cutting inside and firing just past the far post in his side’s best opening to that point.
Sudan burst into the match around the hour mark as Mohamed Eisa saw his effort cleared off the line brilliantly by Esteban Orozco.
Despite having been on the back foot for large periods, Sudan continued to hope and earned a surprise breakthrough in the 74th minute.
A wicked free-kick was deflected off the unfortunate Saul Coco, who looked on in anguish as his side fell behind. Things could’ve been even better for James Kwesi’s side soon afterwards, with Yasir Mozamil’s cross nearly turned in at the back post minutes later.
Sudan managed to hold on from there, meaning that the 117th-ranked country in the world grabbed a surprise victory to reignite their hopes of qualifying following their opening game defeat to Algeria.
Frustrations will be high for Equatorial Guinea, who dominated throughout and now face group favourites Algeria, needing an unlikely victory to have a chance of progressing.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Saeed Ahmed (Sudan)