Sudan lie bottom in the group and are yet to score a goal this campaign. They lost their first two games; 3-0 to South Africa at home and 2-0 away to Congo. Nigeria are third with 1 point after losing their opening match 3-2 to Congo at home and later securing a barren draw away to South Africa.
Nigeria have only lost once to Sudan, back then in 1969.They have emerged victorious in six games and have drawn four times. The last time Sudan hosted Nigeria in 2001 they were whacked 4-0 and the story was more or less the same in their last encounter as the Super Eagles emerged 2-0 winners in January 2008 in an Afcon Group C match.
Stephen Keshi is taking no chances and has recalled Victor Moses and Vincent Enyeama for this must-win encounter. Clearly, the pressure is on Nigeria as anything less than three points from this tie will scuttle their chances of qualifying for the finals.
Sudan coach Mohammed Mazda has, however, expressed optimism going into this fixture and believes the underdog tag will work to their favour. He insists history cannot win a football match and hopes for a positive result that will catapult them from the lower reaches of the standings.