Abobaker Eisa celebrated his mautry appearance for Sudan in November 2023.
Sudan's participation in the continental championship is described as "offering optimism" to its population during a ongoing internal conflict, says forward Abobaker Eisa.
The land has been grappling with what observers call the biggest humanitarian disaster since last year, when a clash for control between the national army and a paramilitary group, the paramilitary RSF, escalated into open warfare.
Reports indicate more than countless lives have been lost, and millions have been displaced from their communities, with severe food shortages and accounts of atrocities in the region of Darfur.
The situation forced Sudan to play all their pre-tournament fixtures away from home, but they managed to progress to earn their Afcon spot for only the fourth time since over four decades ago.
The 1970 champions will take on The Algerian team (December 24th), The Equatoguinean side (December 28th), and The Burkinabe squad (31 December) in the first round, and Eisa notes that every game is a "significant occasion" and a possible respite for those within the country.
"We are aware of the many bad things taking place in Sudan. We, as footballers, we understand how much of a big deal football can be to our homeland," Eisa commented.
"You will not find a lot of smiles at the minute, so we're trying to use football as a means to offer a break from [the war].
"Even making it to the Afcon and knowing the Sudanese people there to cheer us on – the fact that we're there is already inspiring optimism."
The Squad Abroad
Eisa, who has represented a number of English Football League clubs like Grimsby Town, Bradford City and Scunthorpe United, is signed to Thai side Chonburi.
Even, his fellow players who represent domestic Sudanese clubs Al-Hilal and Al-Merrikh are now operating outside the country, with the ongoing conflict forcing the clubs to move initially to Mauritania and now to Rwanda.
A Wellspring of Motivation and Difficulty
But regardless of being away from Sudan, the team's minds are constantly on the war, which Eisa says can be both "disheartening" and a source of "motivation".
"It is hard to ignore the situation. Several players' relatives are still there, numerous people's families have been touched by this," noted Eisa.
"Naturally, you speak together [about] events, and what can be done, and donating when possible.
"The knowledge that we can do something for them, it fuels our determination. Conversely, it's disheartening at times – you can only do so much."
He added: "Provided that we step onto the pitch and fight for what's ours, I think everyone will be happy."
