Sudan edges Niger in 2025 AFCON qualifiers

Sudan defeated Niger 1-0 in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, on Wednesday. Sudan coach James Kwesi Appiah expressed his satisfaction with his team's victory over a tough and determined opponent. "We started very well getting to the end of the first half, the game was not as I had expected, but in the second half we started strongly to make sure that we got the victory," Appiah said during a post-match press conference at the Juba Olympic Stadium. Appiah added that his team is doing everything possible to qualify for the 2025 AFCON tournament, which will be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. Niger's coach, Ezzaki Badou, congratulated his opponents and acknowledged the strength of the Sudanese team. He mentioned that the focus now is on quickly regaining the physical fitness of his players ahead of their next game against Ghana on September 9. Meanwhile, Sudan will travel to Angola for the other match in Group F. Enditem Sour ce: The Namibia News Agency