The Extraordinary Joy of Sudan’s Victory in Qata| Sudanow Magazine

Port Sudan, (Sudanow) – From the very first whistle, spectators sensed an unusual tension surrounding Sudan’s clash with Lebanon in the Arab Cup qualifiers, hosted in Qatar ahead of the December finals. Unlike previous matches that ended without excessive drama—where winners received congratulations from the defeated—this encounter carried a different weight. The packed Sudanese crowd, their thunderous chants, and the visible emotions on the faces of Sudan’s players set the tone. That intensity cost the team an early red card in the 22nd minute of the first half.

The sheer size and passion of the Sudanese supporters was striking to anyone watching, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino (who recently acquired Lebanese citizenship), present in the stadium. Arab sports media highlighted the Sudanese turnout and the electrifying atmosphere at Al-Gharafa Stadium in Doha. Some Qatari analysts even described the Sudanese fans as “extraordinary.” From the moment the national team landed in Qatar, celebrations filled the streets, with Sudanese gatherings resounding in patriotic chants. Everyone awaited a moment of joy—a victory to express in their own way. If this was only the qualifiers, what would the finals look like in December? And why such extraordinary joy?

Renowned sports journalist Abu Aqila Amasa told Sudanow that Sudanese people are passionate about sports of all kinds, whether Olympic or traditional, but their love for football is unmatched. While international disappointments of Sudanese clubs sometimes dampen spirits, and domestic conflicts hinder progress, the historic rivalry between Al-Merrikh and Al-Hilal continues to fuel and deepen this passion. Amasa recalled that Khartoum’s “El-Classico” matches are etched in memory as proof of Sudan’s football fervor, with every state in Sudan boasting its own local derby that ignites crowds.

Regarding the Lebanon match, Amasa stressed that it came under exceptional circumstances, reigniting national football enthusiasm. At a time when Sudanese citizens had united behind their flag amid war against the Janjaweed militia, the match became a symbolic stage. The suffering of displacement and atrocities had stirred collective emotions, and Al-Gharafa Stadium became the perfect venue for Sudanese voices to rise together in chants of: “We are soldiers of God, soldiers of the homeland… if sacrifice calls, we shall never betray.”

Scenes from the match embodied this spirit: a young man beating the drum with tears streaming down his face, an elderly Sudanese woman entering the stadium in her wheelchair to cheer, later embraced by players who kissed her forehead after securing victory and qualification. These moments illustrated joy born from hardship, painting a portrait of patriotism and sending a message of hope; that the nation is resilient, and its people capable of achievement. Could this joy mark the beginning of a national revival, as Captain Haitham Mustafa suggested?

Sports journalist Nasser Babiker offered further reasons why the victory carried such weight. Under normal circumstances, Sudan’s win over Lebanon to advance from the playoff would have been expected, celebrated modestly as a routine qualification.
But a series of poor results had plagued Sudan for a long time, compounded by mismanagement that disrupted the team’s focus and morale.
African teams had also struggled against Asian sides in Arab Cup playoffs, while Lebanon had defeated Sudan in the previous edition, giving this match a revenge narrative.
Added to this were financial crises and the early dismissal of John Mano, all of which magnified the significance of the triumph.

For Babiker, these factors combined to make the victory not just a sporting success but a much-needed source of joy for the Sudanese people.

Ultimately, the deep wound carried by every Sudanese remains the strongest driver behind this remarkable turnout and fervent support, a search for joy to heal pain. Expectations now rest on the young national team heading into the finals. They understand what victory means at this moment in history. No matter the strength of their opponents, the ceiling of ambition has risen. Sudan’s team has become a focal point for future challenges. The crowds will be larger, the morale higher, and with the finals about to begin, Sudanese fans in Qatar are ready to be the “salt” of the tournament.

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