Kwesi Appiah’s journey with Sudan’s national football team is a story of reconnection and resilience. His earlier stint as a coach in Sudan during 2014 and 2015 proved to be a decisive factor in the team’s historic qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), despite the backdrop of civil unrest.

Reflecting on his return, Appiah shared how his time coaching a Sudanese club nearly a decade ago gave him a unique understanding of the players and their culture. “I already understood their culture and football style,” he said in an interview with CAF.

During his earlier tenure, Appiah had identified and nurtured young talent, many of whom went on to represent the national team. When he assumed the role of head coach in 2023, he was reunited with several familiar faces. “Fortunately, I met five or six of them still in the squad when I took over,” Appiah noted.

These players became instrumental in bridging the gap between the coach and the rest of the team. “They already understood my coaching philosophy, and they helped ensure the rest of the team bought into it,” he explained.

Appiah’s connection with the players and his ability to adapt to challenges off the pitch were key to Sudan’s success. Now, as the team heads to Morocco for AFCON, they aim to carry the spirit of unity and resilience forged under their coach’s leadership.