2026 WCQ: Sudan maestro Abdelrahman to miss South Sudan derby clash

Sudan national team influential forward Mohamed Abdelrahman is confirmed to miss the team's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying Group B clash against neighbors and rivals South Sudan in Benghazi, Libya.

Abdelrahman's presence was missed by Sudan, who failed to create much in attack in a 0-0 draw against Senegal earlier in their first match of the March FIFA window. The 31-year-old striker sustained a knee injury as he missed the last training session, confirming his absence for both important matches.

Abdelrahman was seen in a light training session on Sunday as he tried to gain fitness back. Sudan national side doctors advised coach James Kwesi Appiah to keep the influential Al Hilal Omdurman captain out of Tuesday's tie.

It is a huge blow to coach Appiah as he will be missing his most important attacking player. Abdelrahman scored against the Bright Stars in the first fixture as Sudan emerged winners by a 3-0 score in Juba.

Saifeldin Bakhit, Abo Eisa and Abderrahman's club teammates at Al Hilal, Abdel Raouf and Yaser Mozamil, will take the responsibility of leading the attack for Sudan. Sudan tops Group B with 11 points. South Sudan are bottom with two points.

Group B Table (5 matches played)

• The group winner qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

• Four of the nine group runners-up qualify for a playoff to determine Africa's representative at the intercontinental qualifying playoff.