Equatorial Guinea vs Sudan Prediction 28.12.2025 | AFCON

Equatorial Guinea arrive at this crucial Group E fixture under significant pressure, smarting from a heart-breaking 2-1 stoppage-time defeat to Burkina Faso in their opener, a match they appeared set to win until the final minutes.

The Nzalang Nacional played most of the second half with ten men after Basilio Ndong received a straight red card in the 50th minute, and while they even managed to take a late lead, two stoppage-time goals turned it into a bitter pill to swallow.

Despite an unfortunate opening defeat, Juan Micha’s squad remains a resilient side with a strong tournament pedigree, having reached the knockout stages in all four of their previous AFCON appearances and notably topping a group that included hosts Ivory Coast and Nigeria in the last edition.

Micha will now need to reorganize his defense in Ndong’s absence and address the psychological fragility that saw the team concede twice deep into stoppage time, as they look to bounce back and salvage their campaign in this crucial group encounter.

Sudan entered the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as clear underdogs in Group E, and their opening fixture did little to alter that perception, as they suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of tournament favourites Algeria.

The Jediane Falcons currently sit bottom of the group with no points and a worrying goal difference, making Sunday’s encounter with Equatorial Guinea a must-win affair if they are to preserve any realistic hopes of progression.

One of the biggest concerns for head coach James Kwesi Appiah is his side’s blunt attacking display. Sudan failed to register a single meaningful effort on target against Algeria, highlighting the urgent need for greater creativity and cutting edge in the final third. At the same time, defensive frailties were evident throughout the opener, meaning improvements are required at both ends of the pitch.

Tournament history offers little encouragement, as Sudan have managed just one victory from their last 17 Africa Cup of Nations matches dating back to 1970. Their struggles are even more pronounced away from home, having gone 11 consecutive matches on foreign soil without a win, recording four draws and seven defeats.

Compounding the challenge, Sudan’s squad is largely made up of domestically based players from Sudanese Premier League sides Al-Hilal and Al-Merrikh. Many lack regular exposure to high-level competitive football, largely due to the ongoing conflict in the region, which has severely disrupted domestic football and player development.