Ignatius Osei-Fosu, the assistant coach of the Sudanese national team, has downplayed suggestions that he disrespected ace Ghanaian journalist Collins Atta Poku during the post-match press conference of the Ghana versus Sudan match in Accra on October 10, 2024.

Osei-Fosu explained that he shares a strong relationship with Atta Poku, whom he describes as a brother, and assures Ghanaians that the video of their exchanges was just friendly banter.

He noted that under no circumstances would he deliberately disrespect journalists and that Atta Poku took no offence at his actions.

“Atta Poku was at one point perching with me. He is like a small sibling to me. When we finished, it was me, him, and one other journalist who walked to the bus. People don’t understand, but he is a friend.

“People should understand that before I became a coach, I was a journalist, and these guys were my friends, so they shouldn’t take these things to heart. I have a very good relationship with him,” he said.

A video of Osei-Fosu and Atta Poku exchanging words during the presser went viral on social media, with some Ghanaians questioning the posture of the Sudanese coach.

While those with knowledge of their relationship tried to explain the situation, some Ghanaians who were unaware of the context condemned Osei-Fosu for being condescending and disrespectful to the journalist.

In their two Group F games against the Black Stars in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, Sudan picked up four points from Ghana, drawing in Accra and beating Ghana 2-0 in Libya.

The result and subsequent defeat to Niger in the November international break meant that the Black Stars will not be playing in the AFCON for the first time since 2004.

The Black Stars finished bottom of the group with three points, having drawn three and lost three of the six matches played.

Sudan qualified for the tournament alongside table toppers Angola. Niger, who finished third, could not qualify.

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