Sudan seals quarterfinals for 1st time since 1970
Source: Agencies |
February 1, 2012, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
REACHING the African Cup of Nations quarterfinals with an entirely home-based squad is Sudan's brightest footballing moment in more than 40 years.
Sudan beat Burkina Faso 2-1 on Monday to climb above Angola and snatch a last-eight place with cup favorite Ivory Coast from Group B. The result not only advanced Sudan, it was also its first victory in the finals since 1970, ending a winless streak of nine matches over three tournaments.
Coach Mohamed Abdallah said the success was sparked by defeat in the opening match, when Sudan lost 0-1 to Ivory Coast but showed it could compete with the best in Africa.
"In that first match, we lost the game but we gained confidence," Abdallah said.
Angola meanwhile was given a police escort as it passed through the interview area between its dressing room and team bus following its elimination from the Cup.
Around 20 truncheon-wielding police were employed to stop the players being asked questions in the mixed zone media area by around 15 Angolan journalists.
One Angolan journalist said they had been threatened with reprisals on their return home if they showed footage or reported the incident.
The post-match media conference also witnessed unusual scenes when coach Lito Vidigal complained about the standard of translation which was provided by a director of his federation. The embarrassed official had to translate criticism of himself made by Vidigal into English and French.
Sudan beat Burkina Faso 2-1 on Monday to climb above Angola and snatch a last-eight place with cup favorite Ivory Coast from Group B. The result not only advanced Sudan, it was also its first victory in the finals since 1970, ending a winless streak of nine matches over three tournaments.
Coach Mohamed Abdallah said the success was sparked by defeat in the opening match, when Sudan lost 0-1 to Ivory Coast but showed it could compete with the best in Africa.
"In that first match, we lost the game but we gained confidence," Abdallah said.
Angola meanwhile was given a police escort as it passed through the interview area between its dressing room and team bus following its elimination from the Cup.
Around 20 truncheon-wielding police were employed to stop the players being asked questions in the mixed zone media area by around 15 Angolan journalists.
One Angolan journalist said they had been threatened with reprisals on their return home if they showed footage or reported the incident.
The post-match media conference also witnessed unusual scenes when coach Lito Vidigal complained about the standard of translation which was provided by a director of his federation. The embarrassed official had to translate criticism of himself made by Vidigal into English and French.
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