Former Ghana national team coach Kwesi Appiah is now leading Sudan’s national team. Appiah has performed well, successfully guiding his team through the AFCON 2025 qualifying rounds.
Despite the ongoing civil war in Sudan, the national team’s performance has not faltered. Since the outbreak of the conflict, Sudanese players have lacked a permanent base for training.
The domestic league has been suspended, and more than 11 million people have been displaced from their homes.
Speaking to BBC Sport about the situation in the country and the team’s success despite the challenges, Appiah said:
“Qualifying for the Afcon was one of the targets I set for myself before I signed the contract, so achieving it was something that was on my heart. Another reason I signed was for the people in Sudan, because of the war back home. The players have shown a lot of dedication.”
“Who knows, maybe through football the war might even come to an end. And that was something that made me happy.”
“I believe it’s a matter of psyching your players to let them feel they are (Lionel) Messi or (Cristiano) Ronaldo [so that] any game they go in they don’t feel limited.”
“Wherever you go, that place is our home. Whether we have supporters or not, go out and play for your family, yourself, and the country. This is something the guys can do to help change the war – or stop the war – in Sudan, by trying to qualify for the Afcon or World Cup. At least I’ve given them something to look at and then fight for.”
Appiah also mentioned that some players have been personally affected by the war:
“I know how loving the Sudanese are. Four players lost their close families whilst in camp. It’s a really sad situation, but they try to cope. All the players will comfort them and encourage them. It’s not been easy. We face all these traumas, but you try to cope.”
Sudan had started their group matches strongly and needed just one point from their final two games. However, they suffered an unexpected 4-0 loss to Niger. Reflecting on this, Appiah said:
“It was actually a situation that we never, ever expected. Anytime such situations happen, what you need to do is put the game behind you. I’ve never spoken about it because it’s passed. You learn from it, and then you forge ahead.”
When Sudan advanced from the qualifying rounds, it created a temporary atmosphere of peace and joy in the country. Appiah shared an anecdote from his visit to the Sudanese ambassador, who said:
“Everybody [in Sudan] had their guns down, and they were all jubilating on the streets, which is not normal because once you get on the streets, you are looking around [to see] whether the gun is coming.”
Sudan now aspires to qualify for the World Cup. While Appiah feels saddened by the decline in Ghana’s football fortunes, he emphasized the importance of focusing on his current role:
“I need to be 100% professional and make sure the country I’m coaching qualifies [for] either the Afcon or the World Cup.”