Sudan host Guinea on Wednesday in CAF World Cup qualifying. The Group I rivals go into the game desperately seeking maximum points to improve hopes of qualification to the next round of World Cup qualifying.
Hubert Velud’s Sudan go into the game having taken zero points from six on offer in Group I.
The Senior Men's National Team and it's accompanying delegation has safety arrived in Dubai on a transit to Casablanca, Morocco. We thank God for the journey mercies. #ssfaonline #Brightstars pic.twitter.com/WErIQvJ0kt— South Sudan Football Association (@ssfa_com) October 4, 2021
The Senior Men's National Team and it's accompanying delegation has safety arrived in Dubai on a transit to Casablanca, Morocco. We thank God for the journey mercies. #ssfaonline #Brightstars pic.twitter.com/WErIQvJ0kt
A 2-0 loss to Morocco was followed by a 4-2 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in Group I qualification. Velud needs the side to improve quickly playing third-place team Guinea.
Guinea head into the match with a game in hand over their Wednesday opponent. Didier Six’s team drew 1-1 with Guinea-Bissau to open World Cup qualifying.
Francois Kamano’s first half goal was cancelled out by a striker from Guinea-Bissau's Joseph Mendes.
Sudan go into the October international break ranked No. 127 in the world according to FIFA. Guinea are No. 76 in the world going into the game and will be seen as favourite to win the fixture.
A victory could take Guinea up to first place in the group depending on results elsewhere.
Guinea are unbeaten in three straight games in all competitions going into the match on Wednesday. They claimed wins over Kosovo (2-1), Niger (2-1), and drew with Guinea-Bissau (1-1).
In contrast, Sudan have lost four of their last six matches. Although they claimed wins against Libya and Niger, Sudan suffered defeats at the hands of Zambia, Niger, Morocco, and Guinea-Bissau. Two of those four losses saw Sudan held scoreless.
Guinea experienced a military coup during the September international break. It appears the likes of Naby Keita and a host of other players will still be involved with the national team despite the unrest.
Sochaux’s Florentin Pogba, Napoli midfielder Amadou Diawara, and Liverpool's Naby Keita are in the squad to play. Keita had starred for Liverpool this season, but has recently found himself on the bench once more.
Lokomotiv Moscow player Kamano could start in attack after scoring the team’s only goal against Guinea-Bissau last time out.
Six has a nice range of players that compete for clubs around the world with several playing for teams in Europe.
Sudan, on the other hand, have recently relied on the goals of Mohamed Abdel Rahman. He has three goals in the team’s last three matches. He should start in attack. The vast majority of Sudan’s team compete domestically.
The quality of football is low in Sudan and it leaves the national team struggling. On Wednesday, Sudan should suffer their second loss of qualifying as Guinea claim a first win in Group I.
Expect a low-scoring game with Guinea winning by a one goal margin and keeping a clean sheet.