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CHAN surprise side Sudan finish third again

Sudan came third for the second time in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) Saturday by defeating Libya 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 play-off draw in Marrakech.

But while the bronze medals the Sudanese won in 2011 as hosts were expected, those they collected in the central Moroccan city came as a surprise.

Few neutrals expected Sudan to go beyond the group stage of the competition restricted to home-based footballers with Morocco and Guinea favoured to advance from Group A.

However, the east Africans came second behind the hosts on goal difference, upset Zambia in the quarter-finals and fell by a solitary goal in a tight semi-final duel with Nigeria.

The fighting spirit of a squad coached by recently appointed Croatian Zdravko Logarusic was evident again against Libya as Sudan recovered from conceding a late goal to win the shootout.

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They converted all four penalties while Libyans Elmehdi Elhouni and Salem Ablo were foiled by saves from Sudan goalkeeper Akram Elhadi.

Ablo missing condemned Libya to a first CHAN shootout loss after three spot-kick successes won them the 2014 title and they pipped Congo Brazzaville on penalties in a quarter-final last weekend.

Walaaeldin Musa nodded Sudan into an eighth-minute lead and an Ablo header on 84 minutes after Elhadi failed to cut off a deep cross brought the teams level.

Morocco host Nigeria Sunday in an eagerly anticipated final at the 65,000-capacity Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca with a record $1.25 million (about one million euros) first prize at stake.

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