2025 AFCON: "We are here for the ultimate"- Sudan head coach Kwesi Appiah asserts
29th December 2025
Sudan head coach Kwesi Appiah has declared that the Falcons of Jediane are aiming for the Africa Cup of Nations title, not just participation, after his side secured a crucial 1–0 victory over Equatorial Guinea in Casablanca.
Match Recap
The Falcons of Sudan bounced back from their opening 1–0 defeat to North African giants, Algeria with a resilient performance. The breakthrough came in the 74th minute, when Equatorial Guinea defender Saul Coco deflected a Sudanese delivery into his own net, sparking jubilant celebrations for the Sudanese faithful. The win marked Sudan’s first AFCON victory in more than a decade, underlining their immense progress under the Ghanaian tactician.
Appiah’s Words
“I am happy with the win, but our ambition is to win the title, not just to achieve a single victory. We have experienced players, and their performance was strong.”
He praised the team’s resilience:
“We faced some difficulties, but we always try to show good quality in our matches to achieve victories.”
On the bigger picture:
“We are not here to just participate. The main ambition is to get through the group stage and go as far as possible.”
Group E Outlook
- Sudan: 3 points after two matches, with qualification hopes alive.
- Next fixture: vs Burkina Faso on New Year’s Eve at Mohammed V Stadium (16:00 GMT).
- A win would secure progression to the Round of 16, keeping Appiah’s dream of a deep run intact.
Significance
- Appiah’s leadership has instilled belief, discipline, and ambition in Sudan’s squad.
- The victory over Equatorial Guinea is more than symbolic—it signals Sudan’s intent to compete with Africa’s elite.
- With experienced players and renewed confidence, Sudan’s campaign is shaping into one of the tournament’s compelling narratives.
Sudan’s journey under Kwesi Appiah is no longer about survival—it’s about ambition. Their clash with Burkina Faso will be decisive, but the Falcons of Jediane have already shown they are ready to fight for more than just progression.