After a 2-1 victory against Burkina Faso, Angola was forced to a 2-2 draw by Sudan yesterday.

The Palancas Negras of Angola have taken a good option towards qualifying for the second round of the ongoing African football jamboree in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. After beating the Stallions of Burkina Faso 2-1 on the first day of play, the Palancas Negras of Angola were slowed down in their bid for a second round position by little known Sudan who forced them to a 2-2 draw yesterday at the ‘Estadio de Malabo’ in Equatorial Guinea.

Though short of their expectations, the results places them in a good position to win their ticket for the knock out stage of the tournament as they temporarily occupy the first position in Group B while waiting for the outcome of the encounter between Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso. In case of victory for the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire against Burkina Faso, Angola will move down to the second position which still leaves them a chance of qualifying for the second round in case of a draw or victory on the third and last day of play of the group matches.

Though suffering the second successive defeat in the tournament, the Sudanese have been far from ridiculous and the all amateur selection proved a hard nut to crack for even favourites like Cote d’Ivoire. The Sudanese came from behind twice to level scores as the Angolans opened scores and later took a lead through the penalty spot when Manucho coolly slot home his third goal thereby becoming the top scorer of the tournament with three goals.

Sudan however is the second team to be butted out of the competition after Senegal was surprisingly the first country to leave the competition after having been stunned by Zambia and Equatorial Guinea respectively.