Algeria v Sudan – Line-ups, stats and preview
Algeria take on Sudan on Wednesday in the Africa Cup of Nations. Read our in-depth preview here...
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Match Preview for Algeria v Sudan
Two former Africa Cup of Nations champions, Algeria and Sudan, face off in Rabat on Wednesday in a Group E fixture that could be crucial in the pair’s qualification hopes.
After suffering consecutive group-stage exits at the last two AFCON tournaments, Algeria enter the 2025 edition under pressure to make a strong opening statement against a Sudan side without a win at the finals since 2012.
Algeria’s last victory at AFCON dates back to 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 spell at the tournament, failing to win any of their six matches across the 2021 and 2023 editions, collecting just three points from a possible 18 against Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Mauritania.
That unwanted run marked the first time Algeria had exited the group stage at consecutive AFCON tournaments, increasing scrutiny on the team as they begin their campaign in Morocco.
Vladimir Petkovic’s side arrive with encouraging form outside the finals, having gone unbeaten in AFCON qualifying with five wins and one draw, scoring 16 goals and finishing as the joint second-highest scorers behind Morocco.
The head coach is confident of his team’s chances as well. Speaking before the tournament, he said: “I am confident. I sincerely believe that we have what it takes to qualify for the second round. My role is to pass that conviction on to the players and show them that we can achieve good things together.”
Their attacking output carried into World Cup qualifying, where Algeria scored 24 goals, second only to Ivory Coast, with Mohamed El Amine Amoura emerging as the continent’s most prolific scorer during that phase.
Given those numbers, another early elimination would represent a major disappointment for the two-time African champions.
Sudan return to the Africa Cup of Nations after missing the 2023 finals, qualifying despite significant challenges caused by ongoing conflict in their homeland, which forced them to play home fixtures abroad.
Under the guidance of James Kwesi Appiah, Sudan produced resilient performances in qualifying, including a goalless draw away to 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 a single point, while Ghana failed to win any of their six matches.
Team news for Algeria v Sudan
Algeria are led by experienced figures Riyad Mahrez and Baghdad Bounedjah, both now 34, with the duo aiming to bring an end to the team’s long wait for an AFCON victory.
Amoura’s emergence has eased the goalscoring burden on the veterans, having scored 10 goals in World Cup qualifying and accounting for more than 40% of Algeria’s total during that period.
Petkovic also has experienced options across the pitch, including Ramy Bensebaini, Ismael Bennacer and Youcef Atal, while Rayan Ait-Nouri could start at left-back.
Enzo Zidane is expected to start in goal ahead of Anthony Mandrea.
Sudan’s squad is largely home-based, though several players operate abroad, including Bakhit Khamis, Sheddy Barglan, the Eisa brothers and Aamir Abdallah.
Mohamed Abdelrahman is Sudan’s leading scorer in the squad, while their qualifying campaign showed a spread of goals across multiple players rather than reliance on a single forward.
Expected line-ups for Algeria v Sudan
Algeria: Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Belaid, Ait-Nouri; Bennacer, Zerrouki; Mahrez, Moussa, Aouar; Bounedjah
Sudan: Abooja; Awad, Ering, Karshoum, Tabanja; Mozamil, Taifour, Khdir, Raouf; Mano, Abdelrahman
How to watch Algeria v Sudan: TV channel, online stream
DR Congo versus Benin kicks off at 15:00 UK time on Wednesday. In the UK, live AFCON 2025 coverage is on Channel 4. In the USA, beIN Sports is the tournament broadcaster.
The stats for Algeria v Sudan
• Algeria are competing at their 21st Africa Cup of Nations finals
• Algeria have failed to win any of their last six AFCON matches
• Sudan are returning to AFCON after missing the 2023 tournament
• Sudan have not won an AFCON match since 2012
• Algeria went unbeaten in AFCON qualifying with five wins and one draw
• Mohamed El Amine Amoura scored 10 goals in World Cup qualifying
Prediction
Algeria
Sudan
Algeria’s attacking depth and strong qualifying form suggest they should have too much quality for Sudan, who continue to search for their first AFCON victory in over a decade. With pressure mounting after recent tournament disappointments, the Fennecs are well placed to open their campaign with a convincing win in Rabat.
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