MALABO – Angola began their 2012 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a hard fought 2-1 victory over West Africans Burkina Faso.
Sudan might have lost their opening Nations Cup match to Cote d’Ivoire, but the competitive way in which they played the 90 minutes has given them the belief they can make it to the knockout stages.
However, this will be put to the test when Sudan clash with Angola at the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo, kick-off is at 18h00 time.
The Falcons of Jediane lost their opening Group B match to Ivory Coast, meaning victory in this clash is vital.
Angola striker Nando Rafael has been cleared to play at the Africa Cup of Nations, after missing the Palancas Negras’ first game.
Fifa confirmed that Rafael, who played for Germany’s under-21 side, was now eligible to play for Angola. The Angola Football Federation (FAF) only began the official process for him to swap allegiances last Friday.
Rafael missed Angola’s Group B opener against Burkina Faso as a result, but is now free to play in this encounter.
The Palancas Negras also want to make up for their painful quarterfinal finish at the 2010 edition which they hosted: this is another factor that flames the build up to this encounter.
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Sudan, who are the only team at the 2012 AFCON representing East Africa, has not progressed past the first round in three attempts since their 1970 victory.
The Falcons of Jediane are the only team drawing players exclusively from their domestic league as they look to replicate the form that saw their team progress to the semifinals of the 2011 Africa Championship of Nations.
If Angola win and Ivory Coast beat Burkina Faso in the other Group B match, the first two places in the pool would be decided ahead of Monday’s final round of group matches.
