Sudan’s national football team suffered a 2-1 loss to Angola in the second round of the African Cup of Nations qualifiers, set to take place in Morocco in 2025. The match was marred by controversy surrounding a penalty kick awarded to the Angolan team in the second half, which ultimately led to their victory.

The penalty kick had a significant impact on the match, with Angola taking the lead and securing six points to top Group E. Sudan follows closely with three points, while Ghana and Niger trail behind with one point each.

Referee Expert Weighs in on Penalty Kick

Referee expert Jamal Al-Sharif of Al-Arabi Al-Jaded analyzed the penalty kick, stating: “In the 48th minute, the ball entered the Sudanese defense, and defender Mustafa Karshun attempted to clear it. However, he mistimed the clearance, allowing the ball to reach an Angolan striker. Meanwhile, Sudanese goalkeeper Ali Abu Twenti headed the ball out of his area.”

Al-Sharif further explained the situation, saying: “The ball hit the ground and then went up in the air. At this moment, the goalkeeper missed the right time to handle the ball, leading him to attempt a clearance with his right foot. However, he failed to reach the ball and continued his movement, ultimately striking the Angolan striker with his left foot, causing him to fall. The referee’s decision to award a penalty kick was correct due to the goalkeeper’s recklessness when his foot came into contact with the attacker’s body.”