Egypt challenges Sudan for qualification ticket

CAIRO-19 January 2022: Another Nile Valley derby in the Africa Cup of Nations is set to be held on Wednesday night in Yaounde, Cameroon's capital. 

The two giants, Egypt and Sudan, will face off in the last game in Group D with the two nations having a chance to reach the second round of the competition. 

The Pharaohs have three points from their narrow win over Guinea-Bissau in Matchday 2 after losing the opening game to Nigeria while Sudan is at the bottom of the table with one point. 

Egypt wants to book a place in the second round and needs the three points to avoid any unpleasant scenarios while Sudan knows that they have nothing but victory to stay in the competition. 

"Sudan match is a derby, and it will not be easy. We respect them and we know they will also play to win.” Amr El Soulia, Egypt midfielder, said during the pre-game press conference. 

The iconic derby brings back the memory of the first ever game in the competition's history when Egypt defeated Sudan 2-1 in 1957 in their way to win the first title of the competition.

The two teams have met on 6 occasions in the competition, with the Northern giants having the upper hand in the contest with three victories over their Southern neighbors, who have achieved one victory in 1970.