Definition
The 2018 Sudan Cup was the edition of Sudan’s primary annual football knockout tournament held in the calendar year 2018. It is organized by the Sudan Football Association (SFA) and involves clubs from the Sudan Premier League and lower divisions competing for a national cup title.
Overview
The Sudan Cup follows a single‑elimination format, with participating teams drawn against each other in successive rounds leading to a final match that determines the champion. The competition typically begins in the early months of the year and concludes with the final, often staged at a neutral venue such as Khartoum’s Al-Merrikh Stadium or Al-Hilal Stadium. The winner of the Sudan Cup qualifies for the CAF Confederation Cup, Africa’s secondary club competition.
Specific details regarding the number of participating clubs, the exact dates of each round, the venue of the 2018 final, and the identity of the champion and runner‑up are not fully corroborated by publicly accessible, reliable sources. Consequently, the precise outcomes of the 2018 edition remain uncertain.
Etymology / Origin
- Sudan – refers to the Republic of Sudan, the North‑East African nation in which the competition is held.
- Cup – a common term in association football denoting a knockout tournament in which the winning team is awarded a cup trophy.
Thus, “Sudan Cup” designates the national cup competition of Sudan, and “2018 Sudan Cup” identifies the iteration that took place in 2018.
Characteristics
- Format: Single‑match elimination; draws may be decided by extra time and penalty shoot‑outs if tied after regulation.
- Eligibility: Open to clubs affiliated with the Sudan Football Association, encompassing both top‑tier (Sudan Premier League) and lower‑division teams.
- Prize: The champion receives a trophy, a cash prize (amount varies by year), and a berth in the CAF Confederation Cup.
- Scheduling: Matches are spaced throughout the domestic season, with the final traditionally occurring in the latter half of the year.
Related Topics
- Sudan Premier League – the top professional football league in Sudan.
- Sudan Football Association (SFA) – governing body responsible for organising the Sudan Cup.
- CAF Confederation Cup – continental competition for which the Sudan Cup winner qualifies.
- Al‑Merrikh SC and Al‑Hilal Omdurman – historically dominant Sudanese clubs that frequently contest the cup final.
- 2018 Sudan Premier League – the league season concurrent with the 2018 Sudan Cup.
Note: Accurate information about the specific results, participating clubs, and match venues for the 2018 Sudan Cup is not confirmed in available reliable references.