Sudan had not scored a goal at the Africa Cup of Nations for 36-years, and it took the relatively unknown Mohamed Ahmed Bashir to break that seemingly ‘curse.’
The last time the 1970 African champions hit the back of the net at the flagship African football tournament was on March 6, 1976, in a 1-1 draw with DR Congo (then Zaire). Legend Ali Gagarine scored for the Desert Hawks whilst Mulumba N’daye netted for the Congolese.
After drawing blank at the 2008 edition in Ghana, which was their first ever appearance in 32-years; Bashir rewrote the history books with a brace in their 2-2 draw against Angola in Malabo at the group phase.
“It is an unbelievable feeling to break a record that existed for so long a time. I’m very proud of that achievement and this is just the beginning of good things to come,” the shy-looking forward told Cafonline.com at his team’s hotel in Bata.
The two goals will later play an integral role as the Desert Hawks sealed historic place at the quarter finals thanks to a 2-1 win over Burkina Faso on goal difference, after Angola slipped to a 0-2 loss to Cote d’Ivoire in the other Group B clash. For Bashir, the flavour of qualification was already circulating in their camp after snatching a vital point of Angola.
“We were motivated by the fact we could do more after breaking the goal jinx. We were determined to achieve it and it’s a dream come true for the team and all Sudanese. Now, we want to go as far as we can.”
Nine years ago, Bashir was on the streets of Khartoum with his peers struggling to make ends meet. He was lucky to have been discovered by officials of local side Al Mourada whilst playing on the streets, and he will spend five booming seasons with the third force of Sudanese football. In 2010, he was signed on by Omdurman giants, Al Hilal, and he would soon be capped at international level.
The next moment he is playing at the Africa Cup of Nations, sharing the same platform with the finest African footballers and he attributes the soaring level in his career to hard work and determination.
“The chance to play for the national team was a dream come true. To play at the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations was an unbelievable feeling, and to score my country’s first goal at the finals in 36-years is simply too much for me. I strongly believe these will spur me on to greater height in my career.”
For the 28-year old, his participation in the recent CECAFA Cup in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) last year was the perfect tonic that has fuelled his impressive outing at the tournament.
“I’m very grateful to CECAFA for the opportunity to play at the championships last year in Tanzania. It was a perfect preparation for me and my team and the results are there for all to see.”
Not only is Sudan the only team from the CECAFA region at the 28th edition of the showpiece African football event, the Desert Hawks are also the only team fielding an entire squad of locally-based players. Bashir says there are positive s and minuses regarding that, and he is hoping to land his breakthrough of playing abroad after the tournament.
“One of my dreams has always been to play in Europe or abroad and every member of the team shares the same vision. We hope the tournament will open that door for us.”
On the competition, the striker is the least surprised about the exit of big guns such as Senegal and Morocco insisting “the standard has been very high. The Africa Cup of Nations is big competition and one of the most sought after in world football.
“I’m not surprised at the results so far. The message is that Africa football has grown. If you play very well, you can win any game.”
Sudan will face Zambia in the quarter final clash on Saturday in Bata.