Sudanese football has made big strides recently at both club level and for the national team. This Saturday the national team plays a decisive match against Ghana in Khartoum. If they win Sudan will qualify for the African Cup of Nations to be hosted in Gabon and Guinea next year. On the opposite half Ghanians playing or having played in Norway will try to prevent that from happening. Yesterday ambassador Kjemprud met the president of the Sudanese Football Association Dr. Mutasim Gafaar Sir Elkatim to discuss this and other issues.
When Sudan play Ghana this Saturday Adam Larsen Kwarasey and Mohamed Abu of Strømsgodset in Drammen, Norway will feature in the Ghana team. Former Rosenborg player Anthony Annan is also in the squad. Norwegian ambassador and Strømsgodset supporter Jens-Petter Kjemprud will be in the stadium with split loyalties hoping Sudan will win while the players playing in Norway will do well.
Yesterday ambassador Kjemprud met the president of the Sudanese Football Association Dr. Mutasim Gafaar, the vice president and other staff of the association to discuss possibilities of establishing ties between the Sudanese football federation and its Norwegian counterpart. Dr.Mutasim explained the recent success of Sudanese football and challenges in utilizing the current momentum. The Sudanese Football Association has protocols with sister organisations in countries like Egypt, Algeria and Qatar and are in negotiations with Romania and Hungary. The president expressed interest in establishing a similar protocol with Norway. In particular possible assistance in coaching younger players were discussed as well as a possible friendship match with Norway.