Sudanese pair seeks wins on route to Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers

• South Sudan have lost their first two games
• Sudan have won once
• Both will be playing away from home

Sudan and South Sudan will be in action on Thursday, seeking tickets to qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. South Sudan will be away to Congo Brazzaville, while Sudan will be away to Gabon.

Moroccan Badou was appointed to the helm last month and will be keen for a positive start with the Sudanese.

Badou, a former goalkeeper, famously took Morocco to the final of the AFCON in 2004 and will be keen to rub the same fortunes with the Falcons of Jediane as he starts his stint. Sudan are third in the standings with three points from their last match, a win against DR Congo. They had started their campaign with a 3-0 loss away to Mauritania.

“I am delighted to be here and I know the job will be tough. But we are ready to start off well and continue the path to the Cup of Nations,” said the coach.

Gabon keen for a win at home 

Gabon are a point above them off a win and three points, and playing at home, they are keen to make the most of their advantage to remain afloat at second spot, seeking a consecutive appearance at Africa’s cream of competition.

Elsewhere, South Sudan will travel away to Brazzaville to take on Congo, seeking their first points on the board in the race to qualify for their first ever appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations. Africa’s youngest state have lost back to back matches in Group G, going down to The Gambia and Mali.

Head coach Stefano Cusin is looking forward to battle against the odds and battle for victory against the Congolese at their own backyard. Congo are second in the group with three points after winning their last match against Gambia.

very tough match expected 

“It is going to be a very tough match but we are prepared well for it. We need to win to keep our chances of qualification. We have looked at the last two matches and what we did wrong and also what we can improve to try get a win,” said the tactician.

The tactician remains confident that the squad he has assembled for the assignment will deliver the job and adds they will be keen to show the growth of South Sudanese football.

Already, their Under-20 team has put them on the map after qualification to their first ever Cup of Nations and now, the seniors are looking to follow in the same footsteps.