Kwesi Appiah admits Algeria class as Sudan look to rebound after AFCON setback

Sudan head coach Kwesi Appiah admitted his side were second best as they opened their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Algeria in Rabat, describing the Fennecs as a team with quality across the board.Speaking after the Group E encounter at the Moulay Hassan Stadium, Appiah acknowledged the scale of the challenge his players faced against a resurgent Algerian side that set the tone early and maintained control throughout.We were up against a stronger side. This Algerian team has serious quality in every aspect. We will do everything to bounce back in the next game, Appiah said.Algeria, champions in 2019, took the lead inside two minutes through captain Riyad Mahrez and tightened their grip on the match before half-time when Sudan were reduced to ten men following Salah El-Din Adels dismissal. Vladimir Petkovics men made their numerical advantage count after the break, with Mahrez adding his second goal before substitute Ibrahim Maza sealed the result late on.The defeat leaves Sudan bottom of Group E after the opening round, alongside Equatorial Guinea, while Algeria sit top on three points, level with Burkina Faso.Appiah stressed that his focus has already shifted to recovery and response, insisting Sudan must quickly regroup as they look to revive their qualification hopes in the remaining fixtures against Equatorial Guinea and Burkina Faso.