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When Sudan and Nigeria get on the lawn at the Amaan stadium in Zanzibar on Tuesday, it will not only be around three points.
For Sudan, it is a chance to take a momentum in a campaign supplied by belief and resilience. For Nigeria, it is a pure survival-a piece of “do-ou-die” to maintain their hope of the African Nations Championship.
Two different trips now converge under the same pressure: win or risk the door of the quarter -finals.
Appiah buyout mission
Kwesi Appiah, experienced Ghanaian coach of Sudan, brings the silent determination of a man who knows that the second chances do not often come.
The 1-1 draw of his team with the Congo in their first game was a game they could have won, but the defensive touches turned out to be expensive.
“Until now, the preparation has gone very well,” said Appiah. “Our last match against the Congo did not completely go in our own way, but now we have the opportunity to turn the tables.”
Since then, his players have been pushed through tactical exercises designed to refine defensive discipline and make their counterattacks more deadly.
“The training was solid, and fortunately, we have no concerns for injuries. The boys are locked up – we focus on our strengths. ”
A voice for African coaching and unity
The role of Appiah in Sudan goes beyond training and correspondence plans. He was frank on the need for African coaches to support each other.
“Africans must first believe in us before others can take us seriously,” he said.
“This is not where someone comes from. It is a question of standing together as a party. ”
This is a message that resonated not only with his team, but with an increasing number of supporters who consider him a figure pushing for unity in African game.
Nigerian threat
While Nigeria lost its 1-0 opening match against the Senegal title champions, Appiah is not fooled to think that this result tells the whole story.
“A match does not define a team,” he warned.
“Each Nigerian player is dangerous. We must be ready for a physically strong side with a serious attacker intention. ”
Sudan is currently third in group D with a point; Nigeria, below with none, knows that a loss would almost certainly send them to pack.
The stand to make chelle or die
The Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle was frank on the issues.
“I just want to win the match,” he said.
“This is my game project. I know it’s a game project that rewards a lot of intensity and assault. To stay ambitious, we have to win this match against Sudan.”
CHELLE admitted that the pressure was immense after the defeat against Senegal: “I know there is pressure on us, and that’s normal.
“We are a big country, a big football nation, and we have to do better in the next match. The reality is now that we are low, but we are together as aness. If we get the three points after the match, it will breathe more life in the group.”
Team news: key yields and absences
Nigeria’s Squad News offers mixed fortunes. The left back Taiwo Abdulrafiu, which has drink against Senegal, is able to return.
But the goalkeeper of the first choice Ani Ozoemena remains away with a knee injury, which means that Ebenezer will begin between the posts.
“Taiwo Abdulrafiu is correct,” confirmed Chellle. “However, the reality is that Ani Ozoemena is injured, and we just had to bring Ebenezer, and I trust him.”
Change of mentality in the Sudan camp
One of the greatest tasks of Appiah has been to reshape the state of mind of Sudanese players, many of which are more comfortable playing at home.
“Many Sudanese players are the most comfortable playing at home-they don’t like to travel,” he said.
“I worked to change this mentality, to push them to meet the challenges that accompany international competition.”
Votes
The striker Farres Abdullah is ready for the challenge. “We are ready-physically and mentally,” he said.
“Nigeria is one of the strongest parts of the tournament, but we think we can go deep in this competition.”
Abdullah’s confidence reflects the growing belief in the Sudan camp that they can cause an upheaval.
High issues in Zanzibar
The match starts at 8:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday, August 12.
A victory for Sudan would put them at a touching distance from the direct elimination towers; A victory for Nigeria would bring them back and keep the fate of the group undecided until the last day.
Whatever the result, expect the intensity of the first whistle – because for both sides, the margins of error have already disappeared.
