After suffering humiliation from Nigeria, Sudan got a relief on Saturday when they scored 4-2 through penalties to edge out Libya and claimed bronze in the third-place play-off match at the 2018 CAF African Nations Championship.
The match was played at Stade de Marrakech.
Although the clash finished at 1-1 in regular time, penalties from Mohamed Tahir, Mohamed Babikir, Mahmoud Ahmed and Maaz Gesalla ensured Sudan were victorious.
On the other hand, Libya converted from the spot through Moftah Taktak, Abdelsalam Alaqoub while Almehdi Elhouni and Salem Ablo saw their kicks saved.
The Mediterranean Knights had a bright start in the encounter as they put more pressure on the Falcons of Jediane.
However, it was Sudan who bagged the lead against the run of play when a long ball into the penalty area found Walaa Eldin Yagoub in the eighth minute and his header beat Abdalla Nashnush on his right corner.
As coach Zdravko Logarusic’s men continued to display good touches in the heart of the park, Elmutasem Abushnaf saw his header from a cross on the left flank yielding a reward in the 25th minute.
Despite coach Omar Elmaryami’s troops intensification of efforts for an equaliser, it was 1-0 at halftime.
The North Africans upped the ante in the 70th minute and substitute Ablo unleashed a rocket from the edge of the area, but Akram punched away and Taktak’s followed up.
Akram was the man separating Libya and a goal as he denied Ablo for the second time in the 75th minute from point blank range to concede a corner.
However, Ablo finally made it 1-1 in the 84th minute when his header beat Akram.
Nigeria’s home based Super Eagles defeated Sudan 1-0 in the semi-final played in Marrakech.
Gabriel Okechukwu scored Nigeria’s winning goal in the 16th minute.
As early as the 12th minute, the Super Eagles were dealt a huge blow when goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa sustained an injury, forcing him to be replaced by Oladele Ajiboye.
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Three minutes later, Sudan had a glorious opportunity to grab the lead in the 15th minute, but Ajiboye was quick to read the danger.
However, it was Nigeria who found the back of the net a minute later when Gabriel beat Elhadi Akram from close range with a low shot.
In the 25th minute, Gabriel came close to bagging his brace when his left-footed shot sailed inches wide of Akram’s left corner.
Despite good moves and dominance by the Falcons of Jediane in the dying stages, it was 1-0 at halftime for Salisu Yusuf’s men.
Nigeria looked threatening in the second half, but Ifeanyi Ifeanyi was shown the red in the 58th minute after a dangerous tackle.
Coach Zdravko Logarusic’s men would take advantage of the situation and Osman Ismaeil saw his powerful shot going wide, with Ajiboye becoming a spectator.
With three minutes to go, Sudan were also reduced to 10 men when Bakri Bachir received a straight red for bringing down Solomon Ojo.
Nigeria’s Ajiboye kept his team in the game after producing two brilliant saves in the 90th minute to ensure they were through to the final.
The defeat for the Sudanese made them meet the Mediterranean Knights of Libya in the third-place play off on Saturday
In the first semi-final match in Casablanca, hosts Morocco were inspired by Ayoub El Kaabi, who scored two goals to take his tournament tally to eight overall.
(NAN)
