Sudan head coach Kwesi Appiah has expressed strong belief in his team’s ability to overcome reigning African champions Senegal as the Falcons of Jediane prepare for a high-stakes Round of 16 showdown at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s knockout encounter, the former Black Stars coach insisted Sudan are not intimidated by Senegal’s pedigree, stressing that confidence and ambition are driving his players rather than fear of their illustrious opponents.
“Sudan deserves to go far in the AFCON, and our ultimate goal remains to chase for the AFCON title,” Appiah said, underlining the bold mindset within the Sudan camp.
While acknowledging Senegal’s status as one of Africa’s traditional powerhouses, Appiah made it clear his side are ready for the challenge.
“We have respect for Senegal. They are a big footballing country in Africa and former champions, but we are ready,” he added.
Sudan’s presence in the Round of 16 already marks a significant milestone. The Falcons of Jediane qualified as one of the best third-placed teams in Group E, sealing progression with a crucial 1-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea.
That win was particularly historic, as it represented only Sudan’s second victory at the Africa Cup of Nations since 1970, highlighting the scale of their achievement at the tournament.
Their AFCON campaign has also unfolded under extraordinary circumstances. Ongoing civil conflict in Sudan has forced the national team to play all their “home” matches on neutral venues, making their resilience and competitive growth even more remarkable.
Despite these challenges, Appiah has overseen steady progress since taking charge, with performances and results reflecting a clear upward trajectory.
That improvement was also evident in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where Sudan initially topped Group B ahead of Senegal and DR Congo. A disciplined 0-0 draw against Senegal in March 2025 further strengthened belief within the squad, although a subsequent 2-0 defeat in September served as a reminder of the size of the task they now face.
As Sudan prepare for their biggest AFCON test in decades, Appiah and his players remain convinced that history can be made against Africa’s defending champions.
