History was certainly against Sudan when they set out on this journey to the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

No wins in a finals tournament since 1970, no goal even since 1976! And for many neutral observers, no hope of doing anything this time round either.

But after an opening 1-0 defeat to Cote d'Ivoire, a game in which they offered little going forward but looked organized at the back, they have blossomed in this competition.

They might have secured a better result against Angola in their second match too, a 2-2 draw, but gifted the Southern Africans two goals through defensive errors.

So what will have been most pleasing for coach Mohamed Abdallah after this win over Burkina Faso was the all-round improvement in the side.

They looked tight at the back, dangerous going forward and stuck to their game-plan, never losing shape and allowing the Burkinabe to over-run them in midfield, as some feared might have happened.

They are a team growing in confidence and gaining momentum as we head now for the quarter-finals of the competition.

They will look at their Last 8 tie with Zambia as a game they can win.

Chipolopolo, meanwhile, will be thinking likewise.

It should be a fascinating contest, with Sudan having to cope with the pace of the Zambians, a challenge differing from that offered by the more physical Burkinabe.

Monday was a famous night for the Sudanese and one they should savour, They deserve to be in the quarter-finals, and to rewrite history for their nation. Perhaps this is just the beginning of a new era for their football.