Abobaker Eisa celebrated his mautry appearance for Sudan in the final months of 2023.
Sudan's participation in the Afcon tournament is seen as "bringing hope" to its citizens in the midst of a ongoing war, says forward Abobaker Eisa.
The nation has been enduring what observers call the most severe humanitarian crisis since the spring of 2023, when a dispute between the national army and a armed faction, the RSF, led to widespread fighting.
Reports indicate more than countless lives have been taken, and over 12 million have been displaced from their dwellings, with severe food shortages and disturbing reports of genocide in the western Darfur region.
The war led Sudan to contest each of their qualification games outside the country, but they nonetheless come through to earn their place at the finals for only the fourth time since 1976.
The 1970 title winners will meet Algeria (24 December), The Equatoguinean side (28 December), and The Burkinabe squad (31 December) in the group stage, and Eisa states that every fixture is a "big deal" and a potential diversion for those in Sudan.
"There's a lot tragedies happening in Sudan. As players, we are acutely aware how much of a powerful force football can be to our nation," Eisa remarked.
"You will not find a lot of happiness at the present time, so we're aiming to use football as a means to get their minds off [the war].
"Simply reaching the Afcon and knowing the Sudanese people there to back the team – the fact that we're there is already bringing hope."
Team Members Abroad
Eisa, who has been on the books of a several EFL clubs like Grimsby Town, Bradford City and Scunthorpe United, currently plays for the Thai club Chonburi.
Furthermore, his colleagues who represent domestic Sudanese clubs Al-Merrikh and Al-Hilal are now operating outside the country, with the political instability compelling the clubs to relocate initially to Mauritania and subsequently to Rwanda.
An Origin of Motivation and Sorrow
But despite being distant from Sudan, the team's focus are always drawn back to the war, which Eisa says can be both "disheartening" and a source of "drive".
"It's difficult to put it out of our minds. Several players' loved ones are still there, a lot of people's families have been impacted by this," noted Eisa.
"Naturally, you speak together [about] the situation, and ways to assist, and giving wherever we can.
"Knowing that we are able to do something for them, it fuels our determination. Conversely, it's saddening at times – you can only do so much."
He concluded: "Provided that we take to the field and fight for our nation, I think all our people will be pleased."
