Sudan Coach, Kwasi Appiah Stays Focused After Victory Over Niger in AFCON Qualifiers
Sudan’s National Men’s Football Team head coach, James Kwasi Appiah, has expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance following their 1-0 victory over Niger in the opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Despite the win, Appiah emphasized that the journey to AFCON qualification is far from over, with many more matches left to play.
The Falcons of Jediane secured the victory through a 51st-minute goal from Bakr Issa, giving Sudan an early advantage in Group F. The match, played at a neutral venue in South Sudan due to the ongoing war in Sudan, saw a hard-fought contest between the two teams.
Speaking after the game, Appiah, the former Black Stars head coach, thanked his players for their commitment and hard work but stressed the need for continued focus and effort as the qualifiers progress.
“I thank the players for working hard to get the three points as we started the qualifiers. There is still a lot of work to be done because we have many more matches to be played in the group,” Appiah stated.
Sudan currently tops Group F with three points, sharing the group with Ghana, Angola, and Niger. Ghana and Angola are set to face each other on September 5 at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, in what promises to be another key fixture in the group.
Up next for Sudan is a crucial encounter against Angola on Monday, September 9, at 21:00 GMT. The Falcons will look to build on their early success as they aim for qualification to the 2025 AFCON tournament.
In addition to their AFCON campaign, Sudan is also making strides under Appiah’s leadership in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where they currently lead the standings in Group B.
As Sudan’s journey continues, the team remains focused on both fronts, with Appiah confident that his squad is capable of achieving success in the upcoming challenges.