Egypt coach Hassan Shehata believes Sudan are among the favorites to win the African Cup of Nations in Ghana. The one-time African champions advanced to the elite competition for the first time in 32 years and are determined to cause an upset. They will face an uphill task to book their place in the quarter-finals as they will play in Group C along with defending champions Egypt, four-time champions Cameroon and Zambia. Despite being rated as underdogs, Shehata believes Sudan have what it takes to lift the trophy. "Everyone is asking me about Cameroon and Zambia, although I honestly believe that a team like Sudan can go as far as winning the cup," Shehata told BBC Sport. "Sudanese football has tremendously progressed in the last few years.
Sudan are favorites, Shehata believes "They had two clubs in the final rounds of the African club competitions last year and they can do the same in Ghana," he added. Personal Achievement The former Arab Contractors boss, who guided the then second division club to Egyptian Cup triumph, wants to be ranked among the greatest coaches in the Dark Continent's history. Shehata led Egypt to a record-breaking fifth CAN title in 2006 on home soil. He wants to add another title to the Pharaohs' trophy cabinet to equal the record of Ghana's former manager Charles Gyamfi, who won CAN two successive times in 1963 and 1965. "This is my personal challenge, it would be the biggest achievement of my career," he said. "This year's tournament is much tougher than the one we won on home soil two years ago. At least 12 of the 16 finalists are capable of winning the title."
