Sudan Coach Kwesi Appiah reflects on Black Stars and 2026 World Cup hope

Kwesi Appiah has ruled out the possibility of returning as head coach of Ghana’s national football team, the Black Stars. The former coach, now in charge of Sudan’s national team, has achieved notable success, leading the Falcons of Jediane to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

Sudan’s qualification journey included a goalless draw against Ghana in Accra and a decisive 2-0 victory over the Black Stars in Benghazi, Libya. Meanwhile, Ghana’s failure to secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON, set to be held in Morocco, has fueled public calls for Black Stars head coach Otto Addo to step down.

When asked if he would consider returning to coach Ghana, Appiah maintained his commitment to Sudan. “If you are a professional coach, you will have to always keep in mind that you must be ready for any opportunity but as of now, I have a contract with Sudan,” he said during an interview on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show. “For now, I am focused on what I am doing with Sudan, but I don’t want to say anything because I don’t want to contradict myself,” he added.

Appiah, who managed the Black Stars from 2012 to 2014 and again from 2017 to 2020, is remembered for leading Ghana to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Despite his current role with Sudan, Appiah, who is also a Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council member, expressed his willingness to support Ghana’s efforts to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. “If you look at the current players, they are good, so with any form of assistance, I will be there to support and ensure the team qualifies because, at the end of the day, it is about Ghana and not anybody,” he stated.

The Black Stars currently sit second in Group I of the World Cup qualifiers, tied with Comoros at nine points. Ghana’s next matches are against Chad and Madagascar.

Meanwhile, under Appiah’s leadership, Sudan has had a successful AFCON qualification campaign, topping Group B with 10 points from four matches.