Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying | Group Stage

Oct 15, 2024 at 2pm UK

Al-Merreikh Stadium

Sudan vs Ghana

Match preview

Sudan survived several goalmouth scrambles and goal-scoring chances to earn a hard-earned goalless draw away to Ghana last Thursday.

It was a vital point for the Falcons of Jediane, who lost to Angola in their previous game and were in danger of dropping to third had they lost to the Black Stars.

That risk remains, however, as James Kwesi Appiah's side must avoid defeat on Tuesday to remain in the top two and improve their chances of claiming one of the two AFCON tickets.

In the five meetings between the two teams when Sudan have hosted, the home side have won two and lost three - the last of which ended 1-0 in favour of the Falcons of Jediane in what was coincidentally an AFCON 2020 qualifier.

Sudan are unbeaten in their last three qualifiers as hosts, having drawn with Togo and beaten Congo DR in a 2023 World Cup qualifier in November before beating Niger 1-0 in an AFCON qualifier last month.

In a game in which they attempted 20 goals, scoring seven and creating four good chances, Ghana's wastefulness in front of goal has left them in a desperate position midway through the qualifying campaign.

The Black Stars have qualified for the last 10 editions of the AFCON since missing out in 2004, but that run could come to an end if they do not win away to Sudan on Tuesday.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) reappointed Otto Addo as Ghana's head coach in March with the aim of leading the team to another AFCON, after sacking Chris Hughton following a poor showing at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d'Ivoire.

The coach is unbeaten away from home in his second spell in charge, with a 2-1 win away to Mali in a World Cup qualifier in June and a 1-1 draw away to Niger in their only 2025 AFCON qualifier so far.

With another Ghanaian, a former Black Stars coach and, until last week, a member of the GFA Executive Council, in the opposite dugout, the visitors will have to come up with new tricks if they are to leave Sudan with the desired result, having failed to score in two of their three AFCON qualifiers so far.

Recent Performance

Sudan Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:WLD

Sudan form (all competitions):LWWWLD

Ghana Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:LDD

Ghana form (all competitions):DWWLDD

Injuries and suspensions

Sudan

No sidelined players

Ghana

-- Ibrahim Osman

Possible starting lineups

Sudan possible starting lineup:

Mustafa; Agab, Koko, Karshoum, Yousif; Khidir, Al-Rasheed, Saeed; Eisa, Abdelrahman, Thierry

Ghana possible starting lineup:

Ati-Zigi; Seidu, Salisu, Djiku, Mensah; Owusu, Sulemana; Nuamah, Kudus, Semenyo; Inaki