Ali Gagarin


Ali Alhaydar Hassan Hajelsedig Altoum, known as Ali Gagarin, was a Sudanese professional footballer who played as a forward for Al-Hilal Club. He participated in the Africa Cup of Nations 1970 and 1976. He earned his nickname of Ali Gagarin when he played professional football for Al-Hilal, one Sudan's biggest teams. His phenomenal rise in the sport was likened to that of the famous Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.
Having retired from playing sport, he became an administrator who held posts such as vice-president at Al-Hilal and also in politics, as a director general at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ambassador. He died in Cairo on 12 February 2025, at the age of 75.

Career statistics

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
111 May 1969Khartoum, Sudan3–11970 FIFA World Cup qualification
211 May 1969Khartoum, Sudan3–11970 FIFA World Cup qualification
36 February 1970Khartoum, Sudan3–01970 Africa Cup of Nations
428 September 1974Damascus, Syria6–01974 Kuneitra Cup
528 September 1974Damascus, Syria6–01974 Kuneitra Cup
628 September 1974Damascus, Syria6–01974 Kuneitra Cup
730 September 1974Damascus, Syria3–11974 Kuneitra Cup
823 March 1975Khartoum, Sudan1–01976 African Cup of Nations qualification
96 April 1975Nairobi, Kenya2–01976 African Cup of Nations qualification
106 April 1975Nairobi, Kenya2–01976 African Cup of Nations qualification
1130 May 1975Khartoum, Sudan1–0Football at the 1976 Summer Olympics - Men's qualification
126 July 1975Tunis, Tunisia2–31976 African Cup of Nations qualification
1315 August 1975Khartoum, Sudan2–11976 African Cup of Nations qualification
141 March 1976Dire Dawa, Ethiopia2–21976 Africa Cup of Nations
151 March 1976Dire Dawa, Ethiopia2–21976 Africa Cup of Nations
166 March 1976Dire Dawa, Ethiopia1–11976 Africa Cup of Nations
1728 March 1976Lusaka, Zambia2–2Football at the 1976 Summer Olympics - Men's qualification
1828 March 1976Lusaka, Zambia2–2Football at the 1976 Summer Olympics - Men's qualification

Honours

Al-Hilal Club
Al Nassr FC
Sudan