MATCH FACTS: Sudan, Algeria clash for semi-final spot

Sudan and Algeria meet for the third time in African Nations Championship history when they contest a quarter-final in Zanzibar on Saturday.They last met in 2011, drawing 0-0 in the group stage before Sudan won 1-0 in the third-place play-off.

Sudan are unbeaten against North African opposition at CHAN (W1 D2), keeping three clean sheets in three matches.

Algeria’s record against East African sides reads W3 D1 L1, with four clean sheets in five games, scoring six goals and conceding just once.

Sudan have scored five goals from eight shots on target. Algeria have also scored five but from 20 shots on target.

In defensive duels, Algeria’s players have won 70% of their tackles compared to Sudan’s 52%.

 

Sudan – Key Facts

·       Drew their last group game against Senegal to finish top of Group D.

·       Have just one win in their last six matches (D3 L2).

·       Conceded only one goal in the group stage.

·       Competing in their third quarterfinal and have never lost at this stage.

·       Previously beat Niger on penalties (2011) and Zambia 1-0 (2018) in the last eight.

·       A win would secure a third semifinal appearance after 2011 and 2018.

·       Record in knockout matches (including penalty results): P6 W3 L3.

·       Record in penalty shoot-outs: P3 W1 L2.

·       Have taken part in three shoot-outs, all after 1-1 draws, winning against Niger and Angola in 2011 but losing to Libya in 2018.

·       Their five goals scored are their joint-most at a single edition (2011, 2018, 2024).

·       Scored in five of six knockout matches, never more than one goal in a game.

·       Only failed to score in their 1-0 semifinal loss to Nigeria in 2018.

 

Algeria – Key Facts

·       Drawn their last three games, their longest run without a win.

·       Unbeaten in their last 10 matches (W6 D4).

·       Last defeat was to Sudan in the 2011 third-place play-off.

·       Kept eight clean sheets in their last 10 games.

·       Playing their third quarterfinal; won both previous ties (vs South Africa 2011, vs Côte d’Ivoire 2022).

·       Have never lost a quarterfinal, winning both in open play with clean sheets.

·       Elimination here would be their earliest CHAN exit.

·       Have always played at least six matches in a finals.

·       Knockout record (including penalties): P6 W3 L3.

·       All three knockout wins have come in open play.

·       Their only knockout loss in open play was against Sudan in 2011 (1-0).

·       Have never lost a direct knockout match in 90 minutes, winning three and losing one on penalties.

·       In six knockout games, have kept four clean sheets and conceded only two goals.

·       Recorded their biggest CHAN win in the knockouts, a 5-0 victory over Niger in 2022.

·       Lost both penalty shoot-outs they’ve contested: vs Tunisia in 2011 semifinals and vs Senegal in the 2022 final.

·       Scored five goals in the 2024 group stage, their highest ever in the opening round.

·       Abderrahmane Meziane has created eight chances, the most by an Algerian player.