Sudan Coach: Fitness key issue in Congo draw

ZANZIBAR: SUDAN’S head coach, James Appiah, stated that the team’s 1-1 draw against Congo Brazzaville was primarily due to their lack of fitness during the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) Group D match at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar.

In the post-match interview, Appiah emphasised that the absence of a regular domestic football league in Sudan has left his players lacking the physical sharpness required for top-level competition.

Despite the frustration of the result, Sudan had some positives, particularly the opening goal scored by forward Musa Ali.

However, Sudan’s failure to maintain their advantage was punished late in the match when substitute Carly Ekongo equalised for Congo, earning them a crucial point.

In his assessment of the match, Appiah did not shy away from addressing the team’s physical condition. “We’ve had no active league back home, which has affected the fitness levels of the players,” he explained. “It’s not about confidence—they’re just not in peak physical shape, and that’s a major concern for us.”

Appiah pointed out that Sudan’s preparation for the tournament was hampered by a limited four-day training camp, making it challenging for his squad to reach the necessary competitive standard.

The lack of match fitness has also led to various issues, including muscular injuries and lapses in tactical discipline. “We are struggling with muscle pulls, and there’s a bit of tactical indiscipline that we need to fix,” he acknowledged.

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“But overall, I wouldn’t say it was a bad performance. We created some good scoring opportunities, and our striker, Musa Hussein, did well to capitalise on one of them.”

With a week until their next match, Appiah hopes to use the time effectively to address the fitness and tactical issues that have hindered his team’s performances so far.

“We have a week to prepare. That gives me a chance to adjust the team and make improvements. We will work on our weaknesses and come back stronger against Nigeria,” he said.

The former Ghana national team boss also praised Congo for their spirited performance, particularly in the second half, where they intensified their effort and ultimately secured the equaliser their performance warranted. “Congo played well,” Appiah said.

“You can’t underestimate any team at this level. They deserved the draw. Our performance declined a bit after the first half, and we’ll learn from that.”

Sudan’s next match is against Nigeria on August 12, which is shaping up to be a pivotal Group D clash.