CHAN: Sudan relishing challenge of facing Algeria – Appiah

Sudan head coach Kwesi Appiah believes his side is up to the challenge when they take on Algeria in the quarterfinals of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) at New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar on Saturday.

The Falcons of Jediane topped Group D, edging holders Senegal on goal difference after a tense 0-0 draw in Zanzibar on Tuesday.

“Progress into the latter stages means more difficult games. The Senegal game is off our minds, and we’re thinking about the next game against Algeria. It wouldn’t be easy, but we are going to give them a tough game,” the Ghanaian coach told CAFOnline.com.

Appiah further explained why his team was confident facing the North Africans in Zanzibar: “The people of Zanzibar have been fantastic. We wouldn’t like to let them down in terms of the quality of our football,” he noted.

“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 finished their group matches unbeaten and they remain the team to have caused a major upset in the CHAN so far, the 4-0 group stage win against favourites Nigeria.