SUDAN head coach Burhan Tiya is banking on his young team to cause a massive upset at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.
The Jedian Falcons will be in the hunt for their first win of the competition in 50 years when they battle Nigeria in a Group D clash in Garoua.
The Super Eagles, having dominated and beaten Egypt in their opening match on Tuesday, are huge favourites to beat Sudan, but Tiya is not going to throw in the towel.
“We play against a great team with high-level stars, but we will play with a balance between defence and attack,” Tiya vowed during his pre-match press conference.
“The absence of Mohamed Abdel Rahman will be felt, but we have a number of young players waiting for an opportunity to appear.”
Sudan star Yassin Hamid echoed his head coach’s sentiments, promising to give the more accomplished Nigerians a tough time.
“In these tournaments we can draw or win,” he said.
“Football is played on the field, not in names. Nigeria are a superstar team and we are a young team, but we will fight to fulfill our ambition to go past the group stage.”
Sudan drew their first game with Guinea-Bissau and a defeat against Nigeria would put them in a difficult position ahead of their final group match against Egypt.
Nigeria lead Group D with three points, followed by Sudan and Guinea-Bissau with one each, while Egypt have no points.
