CECAFA representatives Sudan have failed to progress to the knock out stage at the on-going TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2021 in Cameroon.

The Jediane Falcons lost their last Group D match 1-0 to seven time AFCON winners Egypt in a match played yesterday at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde.

Mohamed Abdelmoneim El Sayed netted for Egypt after 10 minutes to ensure the Pharaohs qualified for the knock out stage, while the Sudan team prepare to travel back home.

Although the Sudan team finished with only one point after their draw with Guinea Bissau, the head coach Burhan Tia says it has been a very good ground for exposure for his young team.

“We had several young players in the team and coming to play in this big stage of African football is a good step for them. Remember we are now in the building process because there are players who we are now trying to phase out and bring in new young players,” added Tia.

The coach made it clear that with time the fruits of hard work will be evident in this young Sudan team. “Playing at the AFCON has motivated our young players and they will never be the same,” added Tia.

Ethiopia, the other CECAFA representatives also exited the tournament after picking only one draw against Burkina Faso.

Group D table standing

                     P    W     D      L      GF  GA   GD  Pts

Nigeria         3     3      0      0        6      1      5      9

Egypt           3     2      0      1        2      1      1      6

Sudan           3     0      1      2        1      4     -3     1

G. Bissau     3     0      1      0        0       3    -3     1

The Sudan team will be all out to try and stop Egypt this evening to have chances of qualifying for the knock out round at the on-going TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 2021.

After a draw against Guinea Bissau in their opening Group D match and a 3-1 defeat to Nigeria, all the Jediane Falcons will be looking for is victory at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon.

Egypt, the seven time AFCON winners started the campaign with a 1-0 defeat to the Super Eagles of Nigeria, before picking a hard fought 1-0 win against Guinea Bissau.

Burhan Tia, the Sudan head coach told Cecafaonline that this match is like a final to them. “We know we need to win and we know how strong our opponents are. But we have prepared well and have what it takes to get a win,” said Tia.

“Mohamed Abdel Rahman who missed the earlier match has now recovered and will play against Egypt. But we shall miss the captain  Salah Nimr who is out injured,” added the coach.

Tia made it clear that although his team is made up of young players, they are hungry to prove a point against an experienced Egyptian team.

Egypt’s coach Carlos Queiroz said although the match means so much to them, they will respect every team.We are ready to play a big match against Sudan and qualify to the next round,” said Queiroz, a former assistant coach at English Premier League side Manchester United.

Already the team that have qualified for the knock out stage of the last 16 include; Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Guinea, Morocco and Gabon.

Ethiopia’s Amanuel Yohanes Gamo has said is glad to be vote man of the match in a Group A match between the Walia Ibex and Burkina Faso at the on-going TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations.

The Ethiopian team battled from a goal down to draw 1-1 against Burkina Faso in a match played at the Kouekong Stadium in Bafoussam, Cameroon yesterday.

Cyrille Bayala scored for the Stallions in the first half, before skipper Getaneh Kebede made it 1-1 in the second half from the spot. Burkina Faso’s Steeve Yago has handled the ball in the box.

But after the match, Yohanes Gamo  said that winning the man of the Man Award will motivate him more to keep working hard. “This Award means lot to me because not all players come to the AFCON and get this Award,” he added.

“I am happy to get the man of the match award, but I am disappointed we did not qualify as a team to make our country proud. I wish the remaining teams all success, as we go home and hope to try again next time,” added the Ethiopian player.

Ethiopia who are one of the representatives from the CECAFA region at the AFCON 2021 kick started the campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Cape Verde, before suffering a 4-1 thrashing to hosts Cameroon. They return back home with one point, two goals scored and six goals conceded.

CECAFA’s top female referee Salima Rhadia Mukansanga will make history at the big stage of TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2021 when she officiates a match this evening as the centre referee.

Mukansanga, from Rwanda will become the first female referee to officiate in an AFCON when she takes charge of a a Group B match between Zimbabwe and Guinea at the Amadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon.

The 35-year old experienced referee will be in-charge together with other female assistants; Carine Atemzabong (Cameroon) and Fatiha Jermoumi (Morocco) as well as VAR referee Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco).

Eddy Maillet, the CAF head of referees said that Salima has worked hard to get to where she is. “It is a proud moment for Africa to have women take charge of an AFCON match,” said Maillet.

Mukansanga has officiated at several competitions including the Olympics and the recent inaugural TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League held in Cairo, Egypt.

The AFCON 2021 that kicked off on January 9th in Cameroon enters Day 10 today with two Group B matches on card. The CECAFA region has been represented by Ethiopia and Sudan.