‘It was a difficult match against Ghana; we adapted and sacrificed’ – Sudan coach Kwesi Appiah

Sudan’s coach, James Kwesi Appiah, has praised Ghana as a formidable football nation following his team’s 2-0 victory over the Black Stars in Libya.

In the post-match press conference, Kwesi Appiah remarked on Ghana’s status as one of the top footballing nations globally, acknowledging the challenges his team faced during the double-header against the Black Stars. He commended his players for their determination and effort on the pitch, which ultimately secured all three points for Sudan.

“Today’s match was difficult against Ghana, which is one of the best countries in football. We drew in Ghana, and we knew this match would be tough. We gave our best, adapted our strategy, and the boys sacrificed for their country,” he stated.

Earlier in a pitch-side interview after the game, the former Black Stars coach expressed his disappointment that either Ghana or Sudan had to exit the tournament. “It’s unfortunate because Ghana has a good team. One of us had to go out, and unfortunately for Ghana, Sudan has beaten them, meaning Sudan will advance.”

Despite the loss, Coach Otto Addo remained optimistic that his players could replicate their impressive performance from the first leg at the Accra Sports Stadium. However, defensive errors led to two quick goals for the Falcons of Jediane within just three minutes, diminishing Ghana’s chances.

While the Black Stars are not mathematically eliminated from qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), their fate is no longer in their own hands. Sudan needs just one point from their remaining two matches to secure the second qualification spot, while Angola has already qualified from Group F.