Algeria and Sudan are set to open their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 campaign on Wednesday, 24 December 2025, in a highly anticipated Group E clash. The fixture, scheduled for 16:00 local time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, marks a historic moment as it will be the first time the two North African nations have met at the AFCON finals. This inaugural encounter at Africa’s premier football tournament adds a significant layer to their long-standing rivalry.
Despite this being their maiden AFCON finals fixture, Wednesday’s game represents the ninth overall encounter between Algeria and Sudan. Historically, Algeria has maintained an an unbeaten record against their opponents in open play. Across their previous eight meetings, the Desert Foxes have secured four victories and registered four draws, highlighting a consistent dominance that Sudan will be eager to challenge on the continental stage.
The two sides have already crossed paths twice in 2024, providing recent insights into their competitive dynamic. In August, Sudan managed to hold Algeria to a 1-1 draw during the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN), ultimately progressing to the semi-finals with a 4-1 win in the penalty shootout. Just weeks later, on 3 December, they met again at the FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar, where neither team could break the deadlock, resulting in a goalless draw in Al Rayyan.
Algeria also holds positive memories from a convincing 4-0 victory over Sudan at the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup, a tournament they eventually won, while Sudan exited at the group stage. As two-time continental champions, Algeria makes its 21st appearance at the AFCON finals, a journey that began in 1968. They lifted the coveted trophy on home soil in 1990 and again in Egypt in 2019, cementing their status as a formidable force in African football.
Despite their illustrious history, the Desert Foxes arrive in Morocco aiming to reverse a challenging recent trend. Algeria faced early exits at the group stage in both the 2021 and 2023 AFCON editions, failing to advance beyond the initial phase. Currently, the team endures a six-match winless streak at the AFCON finals, comprising three draws and three defeats. Their last tournament victory dates back to the 2019 final against Senegal, underscoring the pressure to perform in this opening fixture.
Historically, Algeria has demonstrated a knack for strong tournament starts. They remain unbeaten in their last five AFCON opening matches, recording two wins and three draws. Their most recent opening defeat occurred in 2013 against Tunisia. A notable highlight in their opening game history is the emphatic 5-1 triumph over Nigeria in 1990, a result that set the tone for their first continental title.
Sudan, a founding nation of the competition and hosts of the inaugural tournament in 1957, returns to the AFCON finals for the first time since 2021. Their sole AFCON title came in 1970, also on home soil. However, their recent tournament record presents a stark contrast to their early success. Sudan has secured only one victory in their last 16 AFCON matches, spanning from 1972 to the present, with that lone win coming against Burkina Faso in 2012.
Algeria’s coach, Vladimir Petkovic, conveyed confidence in his team’s readiness despite a recent injury-forced change. He stated, “The team has worked very well… and I am confident that tomorrow we will be ready.” Star player Riyad Mahrez underlined the squad’s focused mindset, emphasising the importance of a strong opening performance. Mahrez noted the high expectations for Algeria, asserting the team’s commitment “to deliver a solid performance” and live up to their reputation as a prominent football nation.
For Sudan, coach Kwesi Appiah stressed the profound significance of the tournament for the Sudanese people, committing to “do our best to make them proud.” He acknowledged the AFCON’s challenging competitive landscape, where every African nation strives for victory. Player Bhakit Khamis echoed this sentiment, expressing honour at their presence and the determination to make their nation proud, especially against a formidable opponent like Algeria, amidst the difficult period faced by their country.
