CHAN: Appiah reveals Sudan game plan to grind out Senegal draw

Sudan national team coach Kwesi Appiah has explained how his side managed to secure a 0-0 draw against Senegal which was enough to guarantee them qualification to the knockout stages of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Tuesday.

The result ensured Sudan topped Group D on goal difference, with holders Senegal progressing in second place. At the same time, Nigeria defeated Congo 2-0 in Dar es Salaam, but the Super Eagles’ late push was not enough to dislodge the two unbeaten sides.

“Senegal isn’t a small country in terms of football. I knew we were in for a tough time. We had to sit back and hit on counters,” he said as quoted by CAFOnline.com. “Senegal played well, we gave them a good run. The match was a good watch for the fans.”

On the team’s remarkable run in the CHAN, he said: “We started the competition slowly but progressed to beat Nigeria and grind out a result against Senegal. The more we advance, the better we get.”

He concluded: “The people of Zanzibar have been fantastic. We wouldn’t like to let them down in terms of the quality of our football. The Zanzibar people have similarities with our Sudanese people. They speak Arabic, so there was a bond from the time we came into the city.

“To our fans across the world, we will not let you down.”

Sudan will face Algeria in the quarterfinals at New Amaan Stadium on Saturday.