A Sudanese journalist has expressed profound national gratitude to Ghana, crediting Ghanaian coach for what he described as a near-miraculous transformation of Sudanese football at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The emotional tribute came from respected Sudanese journalist following Sudan’s historic 1–0 victory over at the ongoing tournament in Morocco. The result marked Sudan’s first win at the Africa Cup of Nations in 13 years and has reignited belief across the nation’s football landscape.
Speaking after the match, Salih placed Appiah’s contribution second only to divine intervention, underlining the scale of the achievement and the improbability of Sudan’s journey to the continental showpiece.
“To be honest, after God, I believe that Kwesi Appiah has done a lot for Sudan,” Salih said. “Nobody believed Sudan was going to qualify for AFCON.”
Sudan arrived at the 2025 tournament as clear underdogs, with few analysts predicting they would compete on equal footing with Africa’s more established football nations. Years of inconsistency, limited resources, and low confidence had weighed heavily on the national team. However, under Appiah’s guidance, the Falcons of Jediane have emerged as one of the competition’s most inspiring stories.
According to Salih, Appiah’s influence goes far beyond tactical adjustments or training-ground routines. The journalist stressed that the Ghanaian coach’s most significant achievement has been his ability to engineer a deep psychological shift within the squad.
“But Kwesi Appiah has a lot more than training,” Salih explained. “He worked on their mentality and made our players believe that they can do it.”
That belief was evident in Sudan’s disciplined and composed performance against Equatorial Guinea, where the team displayed confidence, organisation, and resilience throughout the encounter. Observers noted that Sudan played without fear, executing their game plan with maturity and determination.
Reflecting on Sudan’s presence at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Salih admitted that qualification alone felt unreal, let alone winning a match on such a big stage.
“To be in this place, Morocco for the AFCON, I didn’t actually dream,” he said. “And without him, I don’t believe that we can do it.”
Appiah’s success has not only lifted Sudanese football but has also strengthened emotional ties between Sudan and Ghana. Salih’s admiration for the coach extended naturally to his homeland, with the journalist expressing heartfelt appreciation to Ghanaians for the role Appiah has played in Sudan’s football revival.
“We are so happy, and we love Ghana very well because Kwesi Appiah has done a lot for us,” Salih said. “So thank you, Ghana.”
The remarks were made during an interview with Ghanaian sports broadcaster , where Salih also expressed hope that Sudan would be able to retain Appiah’s services for the long term. Many Sudanese fans now view the coach as central to the country’s football future, believing continuity will be key to sustaining progress.
Kwesi Appiah, a former head coach of the Black Stars of Ghana, is no stranger to pressure at the highest level of African football. His experience, calm leadership, and emphasis on discipline have been widely praised by analysts following Sudan’s campaign at AFCON 2025.
Beyond the historic win, Sudan’s position in Group E has significantly improved. The team now requires just a draw in their final group match against to secure a place in the knockout stages, a feat that would rank among the greatest achievements in Sudanese football history.
Such a scenario would have been almost unthinkable before the start of the qualifiers. Today, however, optimism runs high among Sudanese supporters, who see the current campaign as a turning point for the national team.
Football experts have highlighted the importance of Appiah’s focus on unity and self-belief, noting that Sudan’s players appear mentally stronger and more tactically disciplined than in previous tournaments. The team’s renewed confidence has translated into performances that command respect across the continent.
For many Sudanese fans, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is already a success, regardless of how far the team progresses. It has restored pride, belief, and hope, while redefining how Sudanese football is perceived both locally and internationally.
As Sudan prepare for their decisive final group match, the sense of belief instilled by Kwesi Appiah continues to drive the team forward. For journalist Ibrahim Salih and countless supporters back home, the message is clear: Sudan’s AFCON revival is built on faith, leadership, and a coach who dared to make his players believe in the impossible.
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