Appiah aims for glory as Bougherra finds rride in Algeria despite CHAN exit

When the dust settled in Zanzibar, one coach looked ahead with dreams of continental glory while another walked away with pride in his team despite heartbreak.

Sudan’s Kwesi Appiah, steering the Falcons of Jediane, declared his sights firmly set on winning the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) Pamoja 2024.

On the opposite bench, Algeria’s Madjid Bougherra chose to highlight the sacrifice and spirit of his players after their dramatic penalty shootout defeat.

A Quarter-Final That Had It All

The clash between Sudan and Algeria was more than just a knockout tie. It was an enthralling contest played with intensity, discipline, and tactical precision.

After a 1-1 stalemate in regular and extra time, it was Sudan who held their nerve in the shootout to reach the semi-finals, sparking wild celebrations among their supporters in Zanzibar.

Appiah revealed afterwards that his team had been mentally prepared for such a scenario: “We were ready to take penalties.

"What I told our players from the beginning is that we are not looking for an honorable performance, but rather we are looking forward to achieving the continental title.”

Bougherra: Pride in Defeat

For Algeria, the result stung, but coach Madjid Bougherra used his post-match words to celebrate his squad’s resilience.

“I thank the players and I’m proud of their performance. Whatever God wills, happens. They were real men on the field and gave everything they had.

"For example, Meziane played while injured, and I thank him for his sacrifice for the national team. He was a role model.”

Having guided Algeria to the 2022 CHAN final, Bougherra stressed that his team would regroup quickly, already planning for a training camp in October ahead of the Arab Cup.

“We will prepare better and deliver a strong performance worthy of the Algerian national team,” he promised.

When Luck Runs Out

Algeria had impressed in large parts of the match and Bougherra admitted it was painful to go out on penalties.

“We were better than Sudan in the match, but luck wasn’t on our side. Sometimes we play well and don’t win, and other times it’s the opposite.

"We were able to put together a good group during this tournament, and the future will be better for us.”

Appiah’s Dream: The Title or Nothing

Kwesi Appiah, meanwhile, could barely hide his delight as his Sudan side reached the last four of the tournament.

For him, the win was more than just progress; it was confirmation that his team could dream big.

“Our goal is beyond just participation. We aspire to achieve the African title,” Appiah said firmly.

He praised his players’ determination and underlined that the millions of Sudanese fans following the team provided all the motivation they needed.

“Millions of Sudanese people follow us, and they also support us, so I say it frankly: we aspire to achieve the African title.”

Respect, Determination, and Two Different Roads

The night at the Amaan Stadium showcased the essence of African football — respect between rivals, determination from both camps, and a contest that pushed players to their physical and mental limits.

Sudan now march into the semi-finals with Appiah and his players daring to dream of a first-ever CHAN title.

For Algeria, the journey ends in Zanzibar, but Bougherra leaves with his head held high, proud of a team that fought until the very end.

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