Former Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has announced a temporary resignation from his role as a member of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council. This decision comes following a directive from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which urged Appiah to step down from one of his positions ahead of the crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers between Ghana and Sudan.

Appiah currently serves as the head coach of Sudan’s national team while holding a seat on the GFA Executive Council. CAF’s request is aimed at preventing any potential conflict of interest, as the two nations prepare to face each other in the upcoming AFCON qualifiers.

In response, Appiah has temporarily withdrawn from his Executive Council duties until November 2024. His spokesperson, Asante Forkuo, confirmed, “Coach Kwesi Appiah has temporarily stepped aside as an Executive Council member of the GFA until the end of November. This decision follows CAF’s communication, and it was taken to avoid any conflict of interest. Since the qualifiers started, Appiah has refrained from participating in any EXCO activities.”

Appiah, who represents Asante Kotoko on the council, made this move in light of the AFCON qualifiers’ importance.

Ghana will host Sudan in the first match of the doubleheader on Thursday, October 10, at the Accra Sports Stadium. The second leg is set for October 14 at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Libya.