After guiding Sudan to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), coach Kwasi Appiah has turned his attention to an even more ambitious goal: qualifying the war-torn nation for its first-ever FIFA World Cup.
Sudan currently sits atop a challenging qualifying group that includes powerhouses Senegal and DR Congo, but Appiah remains undaunted. The seasoned coach believes that the key to success lies in the mindset of his players.
“I tell them, ‘How can you aim to go to the World Cup if you don’t put yourself at the level of Spain, England, or Brazil?'” Appiah told BBC Africa. “It’s all about self-belief and resilience. If we can instill that in the players, I’m confident we can achieve great things.”
Appiah’s optimism is not unfounded. Under his guidance, Sudan has already achieved a significant milestone by qualifying for the Afcon.
The team’s success has also brought a sense of unity to the region, as evident in their recent 3-0 victory over South Sudan in Juba.
“Large sections of the crowd joined in with Sudan’s national anthem,” Appiah recalled. “It brought a lot of unity to both countries. Football has the power to transcend borders and bring people together, and that’s exactly what we’re seeing here.”
As Sudan continues its World Cup qualifying campaign, Appiah is determined to take the team to football’s grandest stage.
With his experience and expertise, combined with the team’s growing self-belief and resilience, Sudan’s chances of making history look increasingly promising.
For Appiah, the ultimate goal is not just about qualifying for the World Cup, but about the impact it can have on the nation and its people.
“If we can make it to the World Cup, it will be a huge boost for the country and a source of pride for the Sudanese people,” he said. “We’re not just playing for ourselves; we’re playing for the entire nation.”