Assistant coach of the Sudan national team, Ignatius Osei-Fosu, has commended Head Coach Kwasi Appiah for his role in securing Sudan’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Sudan outperformed Ghana and Niger to claim one of the two qualification spots in Group F, alongside Angola.

The group pairing gave Kwasi Appiah the opportunity to face his former team, Ghana, and after earning four points from the encounters against the Black Stars, Osei-Fosu lauded Appiah’s tactical acumen, which was instrumental in Sudan’s qualification.

According to the former King Faisal manager, Appiah masterminded everything Sudan executed on the field.

He also admired Appiah’s humility in taking responsibility after a heavy defeat against Niger.

“I have a defensive mindset, so if care isn’t taken, you’d assume I managed the team. But I had nothing to do with our matches. It was Kwasi who decided where each player should play, and that’s why I say he’s the brain and heart of the team. The people know that amid the civil war, the one thing that can bring them joy is football.

"He’s honest, too, because after losing 4-0, not many coaches would admit their mistakes and say, ‘We were arrogant during the game.’ But he did,” Osei-Fosu said.

Kwasi Appiah was appointed Sudan’s head coach in September 2023 to lead their campaign for AFCON qualification. Within a year, the former Ghana coach has guided Sudan to their first AFCON since 2013.

Additionally, Sudan is close to securing a spot at the 2026 World Cup, currently sitting atop their CAF World Cup qualifying group with 10 points.

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FKA/EK