Former Ghanaian midfielder Laryea Kingston believes that Kwesi Appiah will have an advantage when Sudan faces Ghana in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The recent draw placed Ghana in Group F, alongside Sudan, Angola, and Niger. The pairing has sparked discussions, as Otto Addo, the current Ghana coach, will be up against Kwesi Appiah, a former Ghana coach and the current manager of Sudan. Appiah notably led the Black Stars to the 2014 World Cup and the 2019 AFCON.

“Kwesi Appiah is a Ghanaian, and he knows how we approach games,” Kingston told 3Sports following the draw. “He is well-versed in the strengths and mindset of Ghanaians, which could make it challenging for us. Kwesi Appiah will have an advantage as he knows us better than Otto knows the Sudanese players.”

Appiah’s success with Sudan in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers further supports Kingston’s point. Sudan currently leads Group B with 10 points after four matches.

“If I were in Kwesi Appiah’s shoes now, it would be a game I would be eagerly anticipating,” Kingston added. “There would be a lot to prove, demonstrating that I still have what it takes to lead. It is going to be one of the best games during Otto’s tenure with the Black Stars.”

The qualifiers are set to begin in September 2024 and conclude in November 2024. The top two teams from each group will advance to the AFCON finals in Morocco, scheduled for December 2025 to January 2026.