When Ghana turned its back on Kwesi Appiah, few would have imagined the story that would unfold. Sacked by his own country and forced to relinquish roles at the Ghana FA over alleged conflicts of interest, Appiah’s journey took an unexpected twist when he was appointed head coach of Sudan.

Sudan faced monumental challenges: a team drawn largely from domestic clubs Al Hilal and Al Merriekh (comprising 85% of the squad), and no home games during the qualifiers due to political unrest. Against all odds, Appiah not only rebuilt the team but led them to excel in Group E of the AFCON qualifiers—a group that included none other than Ghana.

In two matches against his homeland, Appiah masterminded a stunning upset, taking four points and steering Sudan to a second-place finish in the group. This secured Sudan’s spot in the AFCON for the first time since 2021.

Meanwhile, Ghana, the nation that deemed him surplus to requirements, languished at the bottom of the same group—a bitter irony.

Kwesi Appiah’s achievement is a testament to resilience and determination. Against the odds, he not only revived Sudanese football but also proved that rejection can be the beginning of a remarkable comeback.