![James Kwesi Appiah, coach of the Sudanese national football team (C) addresses a press conference on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, in Juba, the capital of South Sudan ahead of the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Niger. [Photo by Sudans Post]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Picture3.jpg?resize=1428%2C563&ssl=1)
Due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan, the match will be played at the Juba Olympic Stadium in the capital of South Sudan.
James Kwesi Appiah, coach of the Sudanese national team, said the game is a crucial step towards qualifying for the tournament, which will be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
“Our game against Niger is a big game, every country is very good. We prepared very well, all the players are in good form, and we hope to give you a good game tomorrow,” Appiah told journalists on Tuesday during a press conference held in Juba.
Appiah said that his team is counting on the massive support of the South Sudanese people due to the close relationship between the two countries.
“For me, Sudanese and South Sudanese are the same people, and for that reason, my players would like to play to let the South Sudanese people enjoy our game,” he disclosed.
Sudan missed out on qualifying for the 2024 AFCON tournament that was held in Ivory Coast.
Appiah also praised the surface of the pitch at the newly rehabilitated Juba Olympic Stadium.
Ezzaki Badou, coach of the Niger national team, said he expects a challenging match against Sudan.
“I think the game will be hard for both teams because we know Sudan did well in their group of qualifications for the World Cup,” he said.
“They are first in their group, two points ahead of Senegal, and they have scored five goals without conceding. It means tomorrow we have a strong team in front of us, and we are also ready for that. Our goal is to be in the 2025 AFCON competition in Morocco,” Badou said.
Badou had a brief stint at the helm of the Sudanese national football team before resigning abruptly in late July 2023.
Yusif Daouda Moussa, a member of the Niger football team, said the hot weather conditions in Juba are expected to be a factor in determining which team triumphs throughout the 90 minutes of play.
“I think the game tomorrow will be very interesting and difficult for both sides because of the weather conditions. And I also think we have prepared well for the game and we expect to get a good result,” Moussa said.
