CHAN 2022: Ghana v Sudan, Black Galaxies with their backs to the wall
Sudan want to spoil Ghana's CHAN 2022 campaign. Beaten 2-1 by Madagascar, the Black Galaxies have their backs to the wall.
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What makes a three-team group so nerve-racking is that once you have lost your opening match, you have no margin for error left. That is the situation Ghana find themselves in. Billed as the natural favourites of Group C after Morocco's withdrawal, the Black Galaxies were stunned by Madagascar, who are making their debut in the competition. The Ghanaians lost 2-1.
"Against Sudan, we have to win."
To avoid going out at the first hurdle, the two-time finalists of the CHAN (2009 and 2014) must win this Thursday evening. Any other result would jeopardise their chances of reaching the quarter-finals, even though two places are up for grabs in this group, which now has three teams. Not playing on matchday 3 leaves Annor Walker and his players exposed. The Ghana coach is well aware of it. "Against Sudan, we have to win. We have identified the individual errors as well as the collective's weak points. I know a lot of people were disappointed, as we were, but I can assure you that people will see a different Ghana in the next match," Walker told a press conference.
📹 Match Highlights: 🇲🇬 2-1 🇬🇭
The only #TotalEnergiesCHAN2022 debutants beat the two-times silver medalists! Relive the most important moments of the game.#MADGHA | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/JCO12iaBh5
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) January 15, 2023
Sudan ready for the fight
Sudan, however, have a good hand to play. The Crocodiles of the Nile, who got past Djibouti (two wins, 4-1 and 3-2) to qualify, have players in their squad who are well versed in African competition. Many of them come from Khartoum's two leading clubs, Al Hilal and El Merreikh, who regularly reach the group stage of the CAF Champions League. And they are ready to take on the Black Galaxies. "We must do what we do best and make our people proud. The competition matters to us too," warned Sudan captain Mohamed Abd Alrahman. A forward with Al Hilal and coached by Florent Ibenge, the DR Congo coach when the Leopards A' won the title in 2016, Alrahman has shone in this year's Champions League with two goals in four matches.
CHAN 2022: results and full schedule of the competition
1️⃣ match for you in the #TotalEnergiesCHAN2022 Group C! 🔜
Predictions for today? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Q8XlNsYSLL
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) January 19, 2023