Match Overview
Sudan is set to host Ghana at the Al-Merreikh Stadium on Tuesday afternoon in a pivotal Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match for the 2025 tournament. The Falcons of Jediane currently sit second in Group F with four points, while the Black Stars are in third place with two points, making this encounter crucial for both teams.
Match Preview
In their last meeting, Sudan managed to hold Ghana to a goalless draw, a result that was vital for their AFCON aspirations following a previous loss to Angola. The Falcons of Jediane will be looking to maintain their position in the top two and secure a vital point or better against the Black Stars to enhance their chances of qualification.
Historically, Sudan has had mixed results against Ghana when hosting, winning two of the five encounters, although they did secure a 1-0 victory in their most recent AFCON qualifying clash back in 2020. Sudan remains unbeaten in their last three home qualifying matches, which includes a draw against Togo and a win against Congo DR in World Cup qualifiers.
On the other hand, Ghana’s performance in the qualifiers has been underwhelming, with their attack failing to convert numerous chances. The Black Stars recorded 20 goal attempts in their last match but couldn’t find the net, putting their hopes of qualification at risk. The Ghanaian Football Association (GFA) has reappointed Otto Addo as head coach to steer the team back on track following a disappointing AFCON outing in 2023.
Ghana’s recent away record has shown promise, with Addo remaining unbeaten in his second spell in charge. However, the team needs to find their scoring touch, as they have failed to score in two of their three qualifying matches thus far.
Team News
Sudan will rely on goalkeeper Mohamed Mustafa, who put in a stellar performance in the first leg with seven saves. Forward Mohamed Abdelrahman will be looking to open his account in the AFCON qualifiers as he leads the line for the Falcons.
For Ghana, forward Inaki Williams may be promoted to the starting XI after a promising display off the bench in the first leg. Mohammed Kudus is expected to play a crucial role behind the striker and will need to be more clinical after missing two significant chances previously.
Possible Lineups
Sudan:
– Formation: 4-2-3-1
– Starting XI: Mustafa; Agab, Koko, Karshoum, Yousif; Khidir, Al-Rasheed, Saeed; Eisa, Abdelrahman, Thierry
Ghana:
– Formation: 4-2-3-1
– Starting XI: Ati-Zigi; Seidu, Salisu, Djiku, Mensah; Owusu, Sulemana; Nuamah, Kudus, Semenyo; Inaki
While Sudan’s resilience and solid home form make them a challenging opponent, Ghana’s attacking talent and determination to secure a crucial victory should see them come out on top. Expect a tightly contested match, but ultimately, Ghana is likely to find the goal they desperately need to revitalize their AFCON qualifying campaign.
