Sudan’s fairytale march into the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 has been powered by the brilliance of one man: Abdelrazig Taha Yagoub Omer, better known across the continent as Abdel Raouf.
At 32, the midfield conductor is delivering the kind of football that defines legacies. He was named Man of the Match twice. Raouf was instrumental in Sudan’s shock 4-0 demolition of Nigeria, scoring twice, to become the heartbeat of the Falcons of Jediane.
“Our people are going through a lot back home,” Raouf said. “Every victory brings smiles to Sudanese faces, and that alone pushes us to give everything on the pitch,” the midfielder explained.
It is this sense of duty that has made Sudan’s campaign resonate so deeply. Sudan topped a group featuring heavyweights Senegal, Nigeria, and Congo. A feat many would not have dared to predict. For Raouf, the achievement is proof of a squad punching far above its weight.
“These are some of the strongest teams in African football, but we had a plan and the belief to execute it,” he explained.
Central to that belief has been head coach Kwesi Appiah, whom Raouf describes not just as a tactician but as a father figure.
“Coach Appiah is more than a coach — he’s like a godfather. He motivates us, stands by us, and has brought respect and unity to the team,” Raouf said.
Raouf’s journey has been shaped by resilience and mentorship. Starting from his early days in local football to starring for giants Al-Hilal under coaches like Appiah and Florent Ibenge. Now, with Sudan’s domestic league struggling to stay afloat, the CHAN has become his stage to inspire.
“Personally, my goal is to give my best until the final. As a team, our ambition is clear — we want to win the CHAN title. Nothing less.”
For a nation searching for hope, Raouf and his teammates have already delivered something priceless. Sudan’s number 10 has ensured this CHAN campaign will be remembered as a symbol of resilience, unity, and belief.