Sudan forward Abobaker Eisa has praised Kwesi Appiah for his significant influence on the team as the Falcons of Jediane edge closer to qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Following their 2-0 victory over Ghana in a 2025 AFCON qualifier, Sudan has moved nearer to securing a spot in next year’s continental championship.
This win comes 18 months after the onset of the civil war in Sudan between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has resulted in significant loss of life and a deep sense of disconnection among the Sudanese people.
As a consequence of the ongoing conflict, Sudan has relocated its home games to Libya.
Despite the turmoil, Eisa highlighted the positive impact of football, stating, “With the current situation in Sudan and the civil war, we’re playing a much bigger game. People are coming out to watch the matches, and this brings them joy amid the chaos. It instills a sense of pride.”
The driving force behind Sudan’s successful qualification campaign has been Ghanaian-born coach Kwesi Appiah, who has led the team to seven points in the AFCON qualifiers, with only one loss and two victories.
Since his appointment in September 2023, Appiah has an impressive record of nine wins, five draws, and four losses in 18 matches.
Eisa emphasized Appiah’s role in transforming the team’s mentality, saying, “He brings a wealth of experience and has instilled a belief that we can compete with anyone. That mindset shift is the biggest change we’ve seen in the Sudanese team.
Everyone recognizes his legendary status in Ghana and what he has achieved there, but he has conveyed his belief that we can achieve something significant together. We’re progressing step by step, and it’s starting to show.”
Should Appiah successfully guide Sudan to the 2026 World Cup, his status in Sudanese football could reach legendary heights.
Currently, Sudan leads its World Cup qualifying group, having triumphed over teams like Senegal, DR Congo, and Togo.
