Despite the ongoing civil war that has devastated Sudan since April 2023, the nation’s football team, the Falcons of Jediane, has achieved an extraordinary milestone: qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco.

The conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has caused one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, displacing over 11 million people and leaving countless others facing starvation and preventable diseases. Amid this turmoil, the national team has become a symbol of resilience and hope for a beleaguered nation.

Forced to play their home matches abroad due to the war and with the domestic league suspended, the team has persevered.

“The manager always says: ‘When you’re putting on the shirt, you don’t just do it for your family and yourselves. You do it for everyone else’s family, and everyone in Sudan—to lift their spirits up.’”

Eisa emphasized that playing for Sudan is about more than football. “We know we’re playing for a much bigger cause,” he said, underscoring the unifying power of the sport in a country torn apart by conflict.

The Falcons of Jediane’s qualification for Afcon offers a rare moment of unity and pride for Sudanese people worldwide. Their determination to represent their country under such challenging conditions reflects the spirit of a nation yearning for peace and solidarity.

Rafael Nadal’s illustrious career may have ended on a bittersweet note as the Spanish tennis legend lost his singles match at the Davis Cup in Malaga. In what could be his farewell appearance, Nadal, 38, was defeated 6-4, 6-4 by Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands, leaving Spain trailing in the tie.

Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, had not played competitively for over three months before being called upon for the opening match of the quarter-final. Despite the raucous support of 11,500 fans at the Palacio de Deportes, Nadal couldn’t find his rhythm against a composed Van de Zandschulp.

“I tried my best, I tried to enjoy and play with the right energy and the right attitude,” Nadal said after the match. “It just didn’t work. There was a possibility that this could happen.”

The match marked a poignant moment for Nadal, whose Davis Cup journey began with a loss in 2004 against Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic. Reflecting on the symmetry of his first and possibly last Davis Cup matches ending in defeat, Nadal said with a smile, “In some ways it is good. We close the circle.”

After the match, Nadal lingered on the court, waving to the crowd and soaking in the atmosphere of what might be his final moments as a professional player.

Nadal, who will officially retire after the Davis Cup, placed no pressure on captain David Ferrer regarding future team selections. With Spain needing to overturn the deficit to continue, the possibility of another match for Nadal remains uncertain.

The loss adds an emotional layer to the end of a legendary career that has spanned nearly two decades, leaving fans with memories of resilience, sportsmanship, and an unparalleled passion for tennis.

England surged back to the top tier of the Nations League with a resounding 5-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland at Wembley in Lee Carsley’s final match as interim manager. Carsley concluded his tenure with five wins out of six games, paving the way for Thomas Tuchel, who will take over on 1 January.

After a subdued first half, England erupted into life following the break. Harry Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute after his excellent through ball sent Jude Bellingham clear, only for Bellingham to be fouled by Liam Scales. The challenge earned Scales his second yellow card and subsequent dismissal, giving England a numerical advantage.

England wasted no time in capitalizing on the situation. Just two minutes after Kane’s opener, Anthony Gordon netted his first international goal by pouncing at the far post when the Irish defense failed to clear debutant Tino Livramento’s cross.

Conor Gallagher added to the tally in the 58th minute, converting Marc Guehi’s flick from a Noni Madueke corner to score his maiden senior goal. Substitute Jarrod Bowen followed suit 15 minutes from time, finding the net with his first touch after a precise strike past Republic goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

The final highlight came as Taylor Harwood-Bellis, making his debut, celebrated his first senior cap by heading home a powerful goal. Harwood-Bellis, who is notably the future son-in-law of former Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane, sealed England’s dominant display, delighting the Wembley crowd.