Sudan Coach counts rich AFCON lessons

Sudan’s fairytale run at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations came to an end after a 0-3 loss to Zambia in their quarter final clash on Saturday in Bata.

Despite bowing out embarrassingly with their biggest loss at the competition, Coach Mohamed Abdallah describes their campaign as  “many objectives achieved”.

“Our campaign was successful though we are out of the tournament. We achieved many objectives. Since 1976, we had never won a point, no goal or even victory; but we made history and even reached the quarter final.

“We have gained some experience and have an ambition to go forward in future. To play at the semi final, you need more experience which we don’t have at the moment,” Abdallah told the media at a post-match press conference.

With an average of 24 in the squad including 16 who were playing for the first time at the showpiece African football tournament, Abdallah is banking heavily on the experience for the future.

“We have a young team and the experience will be good for them. We have to build on them from here.”

Sudan, winners in 1970 on home soil reached the knockout stage for the first time in 42-years.

Source: GNA