Rabat, Morocco - December 24: Sudan's Mohamed Yagub Abdelrahman Yousif running after the ball as Algeria's Aissa Mandi comes in during the Africa Cup Of Nations Group E match between Algeria and Sudan at Moulay Hassan Stadium on December 24, 2025 in Rabat, Morocco. (Photo by Torbjorn Tande/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)

AFCON 2025: Progressing past the group stage was a strategic objective for us - Sudan captain Mohamed Abdelrahman

· GhanaSoccernet

Mohamed Abdelrahman led Sudan into the knockout rounds with calm authority, carrying the hopes of a nation and the weight of the captain’s armband with quiet strength.

His leadership helped the Falcons of Jediane secure a place in the last 16 of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Sudan progressed after finishing among the best third placed teams, a return to the knockout stage for the first time since 2012. The achievement has brought joy to Sudanese supporters.

"Progressing past the group stage was a strategic objective for us before the start of this edition, and thank God we managed to achieve it. It was a necessary step," he told CAFonline.com

"We feel proud and happy because we were able to bring joy to the Sudanese people. Sudanese fans everywhere are following the team’s journey with passion despite the ongoing war. The Sudanese people love football, and it has become the only source of happiness under the current circumstances."

Sudan will meet Senegal in the round of 16.