CHAN 2024: Appiah’s tactical brilliance powered Sudan past Nigeria

On  Tuesday evening at CHAN 2024, Sudan delivered a masterclass performance that left fans and pundits stunned.

Their emphatic 4-0 victory over Nigeria wasn’t just a win, it was a statement. And at the heart of it all was head coach Kwesi Appiah, whose tactical clarity and calm leadership turned the tide.

“We knew it was going to be tough, especially the first 20 minutes,” Appiah said after the match. “Our tactical play was to absorb pressure and hit them on the counter.” That plan worked to perfection, as Sudan soaked up Nigeria’s early intensity and then struck with ruthless efficiency.

Appiah, the former Ghana national team coach, admitted even he was surprised by the scale of the win.

“I wasn’t expecting the scoreline, but I knew if we play our best, we could defeat Nigeria.”

Sudan’s dominance was so complete that Appiah didn’t make his first substitution until the 79th minute, a testament to how well his starting XI executed the strategy.

“I was surprised with the performance of some of my players. If you noticed, my changes came deep into the second half because everyone was playing really well.”

Even in victory, Appiah remained gracious. He praised Nigeria’s tactical setup and offered encouragement to his counterpart, Eric Chelle. “I think the home-based Super Eagles aren’t that bad. On the whole, tactically, they played well. The coach only needs to do some polishing with the attack.”

Chelle, however, was left reeling. Nigeria’s campaign had already been weakened by the departure of key players, and the heavy defeat sealed their exit from the tournament. “We have lost all ambition. The CHAN is over for us,” he said. “It is the worst game I’ve overseen from the dugout as coach.”

Looking ahead to their final match against Congo, Chelle warned of more trouble if his team didn’t regroup mentally. “If we play this way against Congo, it wouldn’t be just four.”

He pointed to the loss of nearly eight top domestic players as a turning point. “These were the best players in our league. We prepared well, but were not ready for as many mistakes.”

Sudan, meanwhile, now sit poised for a top-of-the-table clash with Senegal. With Appiah at the helm and confidence soaring, they’re no longer underdogs—they’re contenders.

As Appiah put it: “If we play our best, we can beat anyone.”