Goalkeeper Akram El Hadi saved two penalties as Sudan beat Libya 4-2 in third place match on Saturday in Marrakech.
Libya substitute Salem Ablo levelled late in the game cancelling Walaa Mohamed’s opener, forcing the game into penalties, where the Desert Hawks triumphed for their best ever finish in the history of the championship designed exclusively for footballers playing in their domestic leagues. Sudan was fourth when they hosted the competition in 2011.
The Sudanese made clear their intent from the onset and broke the deadlock after seven minutes when Mohamed headed past Mohamed Nashnush from Taher’s Elhag’s cross from the right.
Not even seven changes made to the squad by Sudan coach Zdravko Logarusic affected their play as captain Mohamed Taher, who started for the first time as many matches dictated the pace from the middle with his delightful one-touch passes.
Libya responded with Elmutasem Abushaf missing target narrowly twice on the bounce to the relief of the Desert Hawks.
The Meditteranean Knights resumed on a higher note and the coming on of Saleh Taher for Zakaria Alharash brought some bite into their attack.
On 74 minutes, Akram pulled the best save of the game denying Ablo, who thought he had equalized for his side, with a superb save.
It was only a matter of time that Libyans were going to equalize. And it did come seven minutes from time when Taher’s long cross met the head of Ablo past Akram, forcing the game into penalties.
During penalties, Akram saved the kicks of Elmehdi Elhouni and Ablo with Taher, Atahir Babikir, Ahmed Mahmoud and substitute Abdelrahman Maaz scoring for the Sudanese. Libyan duo Moftah Taktak and substitute Abdelsalam Alaqoub converted their kicks.
credit: CAFonline.com