Sudan head coach Kwesi Appiah believes his side’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) was richly deserved, insisting that their consistency and resilience gave them the edge over Ghana.
The Falcons of Jediane clinched a ticket to next year’s continental tournament in Morocco after an inspiring campaign in Group F, where they amassed eight points to finish second. Their qualification was sealed with a memorable 2-0 victory over Ghana in Libya, following a hard-fought goalless draw in Accra earlier in the campaign, a result that stunned many and underlined Sudan’s revival under the Ghanaian tactician.
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Speaking to CAFOnline, Appiah expressed pride in his players’ achievement, describing it as a triumph of determination amid adversity.
“It was very special, especially given the circumstances. Many people expected Ghana to qualify, but football has changed, no one can be taken for granted anymore,” Appiah noted.
“Of course, as a Ghanaian, I would have liked both teams to qualify, but my job is with Sudan. The players showed great commitment and deserved this success.”
Appiah, who previously led Ghana’s Black Stars, shed light on the extraordinary challenges Sudan has faced both on and off the pitch. With domestic football on hold due to ongoing conflict, the national team has had to rely heavily on players’ passion and adaptability.
“It has been extremely tough. For more than two years, Sudan has had no league football, so selecting players has been challenging,” he explained.
“We always had to play away from home, but the key was to change the players’ mentality, to make them see every venue as ‘home’ and give their best for the people of Sudan. The commitment of those from Al Hilal and Al Merreikh, along with others based in Africa, was crucial,” he added.
Appiah’s leadership has transformed Sudan into one of Africa’s most inspiring football stories, proving that unity and belief can overcome even the harshest conditions.
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Sudan will now gear up for a demanding AFCON 2025 campaign after being drawn into Group E, where they will face formidable opposition from Algeria, Burkina Faso, and Equatorial Guinea.
