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RAY
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Sudan upset the odds to stun Algeria and seal a place in the semifinals of the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN) against Madagascar, who knocked out Kenya's Harambee Stars.
Sudan produced one of the shocks of the African Nations Championship (CHAN)2024, knocking out pre-tournament favourites Algeria in a tense quarter-final at the Amaan Stadium.
The Falcons of Jediane held the Desert Foxes to a 1-1 draw before triumphing 4-2 on penalties, a result underpinned by tactical discipline, resilience, and belief, according to CAF’s Technical Study Group (TSG), who outlined three key factors that led to their achievement last Saturday.
Pragmatism Over Possession
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Speaking after the match, Michael Amenga Okoth, a CAF TSG member present in Zanzibar, praised Sudan’s ability to frustrate Algeria through a compact, pragmatic game plan.
“Algeria came in as finalists from the last edition and heavy favourites, but Sudan thrived on discipline and belief,” Amenga told Cafonline.com.
“They pressed selectively, stayed compact, and forced errors. Even the own goal they scored came from putting the ball into dangerous areas.”
How The Match Fared
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Sudan struck first in the second half when Musa Hussien’s effort forced a parry, leading to an Algerian own goal.
While fortunate on paper, Amenga insists it reflected a deliberate approach: “They denied Algeria central access, waited for counter-attacks, and were mentally ready for every scenario.”
Algeria equalised through Soufiane Bayazid in the 73rd minute, piling on relentless pressure. But Sudan’s defensive line stood firm.
“Sudan’s back line marked tightly in the box, blocked midfield rotations, and never panicked under pressure,” Amenga observed. “Their patience and structure were crucial.”
The decisive moment came in the shoot-out. Goalkeeper Mohamed ‘Abooja’ Alnour Adam Saeed saved two Algerian penalties, steering Sudan into the semi-finals.
“Technically, Abooja was excellent,” Amenga noted. “He read body shapes, took controlled steps, and stayed composed. That composure spread to his teammates.”
Fitness and Mental Edge
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Despite lacking domestic league continuity due to turmoil at home, Sudan surprised with their stamina across 120 minutes.
“They sustained pressing and recovery runs even late in extra time,” said Amenga. “Mentally, they never switched off — Algeria expected them to fade, but Sudan stayed sharp.”
Midfield Battles and Emotional Drive
Algeria’s attempts to overload midfield were consistently thwarted by Sudan’s disciplined pivots. Forced wide, Algeria found themselves contained.
Beyond tactics, Amenga highlighted the emotional context: “The players are competing under very difficult circumstances back home. That has created a ‘play for pride’ mentality, and it showed in their intensity.”
Sudan now advance to a semi-final showdown with Madagascar in Dar es Salaam, while Senegal face Morocco in the other last-four clash.
For Algeria, the loss ended a ten-match unbeaten run in CHAN competition. For Sudan, it represents not just a footballing triumph, but one of the tournament’s most compelling underdog stories.