Sudan goalkeeper Mohamed El Nour has praised head coach James Kwesi Appiah for the calm leadership that inspired his outstanding display in the penalty shootout victory over Algeria in the quarter-finals.
El Nour saved two spot-kicks to guide Sudan to a 4-2 triumph on penalties, securing the nation’s passage into the semi-finals in dramatic fashion.
The 25-year-old stopper was quick to downplay his individual role, instead crediting Appiah’s influence on both his own performance and the collective spirit of the team.
“The coach’s approach makes everything easier for us,” El Nour said after the match. “The way he gives instructions, the way he motivates us… he is always so calm, and that helps us a lot.”
His words reflected the broader mood within the squad, who have responded strongly to Appiah’s steady presence on the touchline throughout the tournament.
While Sudan’s path to the last four has been built on tactical discipline and collective effort, it was El Nour’s penalty heroics that proved decisive against Algeria.
The quarter-final encounter on Saturday ended in a tense shootout, where El Nour emerged as the difference-maker with two decisive saves.
His efforts ensured a historic victory for Sudan, sending them through with a 4-2 scoreline on penalties after an exhausting contest that neither side was able to settle in open play.
Speaking modestly afterwards, El Nour insisted that the spotlight belonged as much to his teammates as to him. “Even though this is seen as an individual reward, it really belongs to my teammates,” he said. “Our success comes from the hard work we put in together during training and from following our tactical plan.”
The win marks a milestone moment for Sudan, who remain unbeaten in the competition under Appiah’s guidance. The Ghanaian coach, whose composed style has been repeatedly praised by players, has overseen a squad that blends resilience with tactical flexibility.
His measured approach on the sidelines has not only instilled confidence in his players but also helped them navigate high-pressure situations with composure.
Looking ahead, Sudan will face Madagascar in the semi-finals — a contest expected to showcase two in-form goalkeepers. El Nour will once again be central to Sudan’s ambitions, while Madagascar will look to their own reliable shot-stopper, Michel Ramandimbisoa, who has delivered several standout performances throughout the tournament.
The duel between the two goalkeepers adds an extra layer of intrigue to the semi-final, with both nations aiming to continue their remarkable runs. For Sudan, El Nour’s consistency has become a symbol of their resilience, while Madagascar’s reliance on Ramandimbisoa highlights the fine margins that can separate success and failure at this stage.
As anticipation builds for the clash, Sudanese supporters will draw confidence from El Nour’s growing stature. His blend of agility, anticipation, and mental strength has already proved decisive once, and the semi-final may demand more of the same.
For now, however, El Nour insists that his heroics are simply part of a larger story — one shaped by the influence of Kwesi Appiah. The goalkeeper’s gratitude towards his coach underscores how vital Appiah’s calmness and clarity have been in steering Sudan to a historic semi-final berth.
