Sudan will be desperate to bounce back from a defeat in their opening Group B game when they face in-form Angola on Thursday.
Must-win game for Abdallah; double boost for Angola
Sudan will be desperate to bounce back from a defeat in their opening Group B game when they face in-form Angola on Thursday.
The Falcons of Jediane kicked off their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 1-0 loss to tournament favourites Ivory Coast, but produced a spirited performance on the day and will draw some confidence from the display.
Meanwhile, the Palancas Negras are at the top of Group B after the first round of games as they beat Burkina Faso 2-1 in their opening tie.
Sudan coach Mohamed Abdallah told reporters ahead of the clash: "For us to continue participating in this competition we are obliged to win, otherwise it will mean we effectively have to go home. This is not an option for us.
"Angola did deserve to win their last game against Burkina Faso and we will have to concentrate heavily if we are to win."
Sudan won the AFCON title back in 1970, but have since failed to progress past the first round of the tournament.
The Falcons are the only side representing East Africa and are the only outfit whose entire squad is based domestically.
Optimistic
Angola were the AFCON hosts in 2010 and finished top of their qualification pool for the 2012 spectacle.
And Angola, who opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Burkina Faso, look to have been given a boost with strikers Djalma Campos and Nando Rafael expected to be involved.
Porto striker Campos has been struggling with a muscle strain but was optimistic after Tuesday's training session he will be fit to compete.
For Rafael, confirmation is expected from FIFA that the former Germany Under-21 forward is again eligible to play for his country of birth.
Angola applied for a nationality change last week for the 28-year-old, who was born in Angola but left for Europe at the age of eight.
