Former Black Stars head coach, James Kwesi Appiah is set to reunite with Ghana in group F of the 2025 African Cup of Nation (AFCON) qualifiers as his Sudanese team draw the Black Stars.
The draw for 2025 AFCON qualifies was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on July 3 2024, placing Ghana in Group F – alongside Sudan, Angola, and Niger.
Kwesi Appiah, a former Black Stars head coach now leading high-flying Sudan, is set to face the Black Stars for the first time in his managerial career in the much anticipated AFCON qualifiers for the 2025 finals, which is set to be staged in Morocco from December 19, 2025 – January 18, 2026.
Kwesi Appiah, assisted by former Ghana U-17 assistant coach Ignatius Osei-Fosu, has led Sudan to the top of Group B in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Since they arrived in late 2023, the Ghanaian duo have led Sudan to three wins and a draw, scoring seven goals and conceding just once in four games.
That run includes an impressive 1-0 win over D.R Congo in only their second game in charge.
With two teams expected to qualify from each group, Appiah is optimistic about the possibilities for both Ghana and Sudan.
The former Black Stars captain and coach, led Ghana to the 2013 AFCON, where the nation placed fourth, and the 2019 AFCON, where they were eliminated by Tunisia in the round of 16.
The gaffer, who knows the challenges of the tournament well, has emphasised on the significance of a comprehensive preparation to avoid potential upsets.
I’ve always said there are no minnows in football now,” Appiah told 3Sports. “It is really important that any team you meet, you prepare very well and make sure you have the right team to try and win the day, he said.
Personally, I also think and hope Ghana and Sudan qualify in that group. For now, I think that is what I can say and I wish both teams the best, he added.
In the previous meeting in AFCON qualifiers, Sudan secured a 1-0 win over Ghana in November 2020. The result saw Sudan qualify for AFCON 2021 – their first appearance in the tournament since AFCON 2008, ahead of South Africa, who finished third with 10 points.
Sudan have qualified for the AFCON on eight occasions, they have made it once in the last eight editions of the prestigious football tournament.(2008-2023)
As the AFCON qualifiers are fast approaching, can Kwesi Appiah secure a spot in the prestigious tournament with the 1957 host nations and 1970 winners ?
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Story by: Rabbi Adu Agyei| univers.ug.edu.gh
