Sudan meet defending champions Senegal in their final Group D match at the Amani Stadium, with both sides aiming to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Zimbabwean referee Brigthon Chimene will blow the kick-off whistle at 6:00 pm (GMT+1), and fans can catch the action live on BeIN Sports MENA, L’Équipe, and SuperSport.
Sudan go into the game top of the group after a 4-0 victory over Nigeria, and only need to avoid defeat to confirm their progress. Coach Kwesi Appiah, however, has made clear his side will not sit back. “I don’t go into games to defend. The best way to defend is to attack. We’re playing for goals. There are 11 players in each team; why should we stay back?” he said.
Appiah’s side are unbeaten in nearly a year, with their last loss coming in November 2024 against Niger in the AFCON qualifiers. They opened the tournament with a draw against Congo before putting four past Nigeria, with goals coming from across the team. The coach believes set pieces could prove decisive. “It is difficult to get goals in open play. Teams rely on set pieces. We’re working on free kicks as a medium to score,” he explained.
Captain Fares Abdullah also expects Sudan to rise to the occasion. “My performances alongside that of my teammates are a result of the trust we have for each other and our quality. I feel we’ll do better against Senegal,” he said.
Senegal enter the fixture with four points from their opening two matches. Forward Libasse Gueye, man of the match against Nigeria, said: “Football is a collective game. I always put my team ahead. For me to be best, I need to play collectively with my colleagues.”
Coach Souleymane Diallo has labelled the match “a quarter-final before the quarter-final.” He reminded his squad that past success counts for little: “Being champions for us is history. History remains in the past, but we must capitalize on improving in the present and future.”
A draw would take both sides through, but a win for either team would secure top spot, while Congo remain in contention should results go their way.
Score Prediction:
A tight contest is expected. A 1-1 draw would be enough to see both progress.
