Appiah Banks on Al-Hilal Core as Sudan Names Squad for CHAN 2024

Sudan head coach Kwesi Appiah has unveiled a 25-man squad for the upcoming 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), with domestic heavyweights Al-Hilal Khartoum providing the backbone of the team.

Thirteen players from the reigning Sudan Premier League champions have been included in the roster, highlighting Appiah’s strategy of leveraging club cohesion and recent domestic momentum as the Falcons of Jediane prepare for a tough Group D campaign.

Sudan, making their third appearance at CHAN after 2011 and 2018, will contend with defending champions Senegal, continental giants Nigeria, and Congo Brazzaville in what is widely regarded as the group of death.

Appiah, a former Ghana international coach who took the Black Stars to the 2014 FIFA World Cup, is now steering Sudan’s football fortunes amid national instability. With memories of their third-place finish on home soil in 2011, the Ghanaian tactician will hope this locally-based squad can match, or surpass that historic feat.

The squad announcement comes on the heels of the Sudan Premier League season and the Super Cup final. The players are expected to report to camp immediately, with the team set to travel to Zanzibar on July 30 for final preparations ahead of the tournament, which kicks off on August 2.

Al-Merriekh Khartoum, Al-Hilal’s fierce rivals, also have strong representation in the squad, including standout goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Fateh and creative midfielder Mohamed Al-Rasheed. Other clubs such as Hay Al-Wadi Nyala and Al-Amal Atbara have also contributed players, reflecting a broad sweep of local talent.

With a blend of experience, form, and tactical familiarity, Appiah will be focused on building a disciplined and competitive unit capable of navigating one of the toughest groups in the competition.

Sudan will open their CHAN 2024 journey against Congo Brazzaville, before locking horns with Nigeria and closing the group stage against title holders Senegal.

Sudan’s Full Squad for TotalEnergies CHAN 2024:

Goalkeepers:
Ahmed Al-Fateh (Al-Merriekh Khartoum), Mohamed Al-Nour Adam (Al-Zamala Umm Ruwaba), Mohamed Madani (Al-Hilal Khartoum)

Defenders:
Ramadan Ajeeb Sharif, Awad Zaid Gadain, Musab Mohamed Makin, Ahmed Abdelmomen Ahmed (all Al-Merriekh Khartoum), Mohamed Ahmed Saeed, Altayeb Abdelrazek, Mazen Bashir Siembo, Farees Abdullah Mamoun (all Al-Hilal Khartoum)

Midfielders:
Mohamed Al-Rasheed Mahmoud (Al-Merriekh Khartoum), Salah Al-Din Adel, Wali Al-Din Khidr, Abdelrazek Omar, Yasser Muzamil Al-Tayeb, Ahmed Ismat (all Al-Hilal Khartoum), Al-Musbah Faisal (Al-Amal Atbara)

Forwards:
Yasser Awad Bushara, Ali Abdallah Hamad Al-Neel, Mohamed Abdulrahman Yousif, Mubarak Abdallah, Mousa Hussein Mousa (all Al-Hilal Khartoum), Mohamed Tia Aboudikin (Al-Merriekh Khartoum), Mazen Fad Al-Bahli (Hay Al-Wadi Nyala)