Sports News of Wednesday, 25 December 2024

Source: ghanasoccernet.com

'Otto Addo told me in person Sudan were lucky' - Kwasi Appiah opens up on AFCON qualifiers

Former Black Stars Head Coach, James Kwasi Appiah Former Black Stars Head Coach, James Kwasi Appiah

Kwasi Appiah has opened up about his encounter with Black Stars coach Otto Addo after the first leg of the AFCON qualifier between Ghana and Sudan.

The North Africans frustrated the Black Stars to a goalless draw in Accra before the second leg in Libya in October.

After squandering many chances in the game against the Falcons, Addo told the press that the Black Stars were unlucky not to pick up all three points.

The German-trained coach also told his counterpart, Appiah, in person that his team was fortunate in Accra.

Appiah, a former player and coach of the Black Stars, took Addo's words as motivation for the second leg three days later, with Sudan beating Ghana 2-0 in Benghazi.

"After the game in Accra, I went to Ghana's dressing room to exchange pleasantries with the players and technical staff. When I got there, Otto Addo told me we were lucky. He also warned me that we would not be lucky in Libya," he told the BKB Show, as quoted by Ghanamma.

"This is football. I took it as motivation, and I told my players about the encounter," he added.

Sudan have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, edging out Ghana and Niger to secure second place in Group F of the qualifiers.