Coach Kwesi Appiah reveals he rejected initial Sudan offer to coach them
11th October 2024
Ghanaian coach James Kwesi Appiah has disclosed that he turned down an initial offer from the Sudanese football authorities to take charge of their national team with a sole objective of building a team.
The former Black Stars manager explained that he insisted on a more specific goal before agreeing to take on the role as head coach of Sudan's national side, the Falcons of Jediane.
Appiah, speaking to Asempa FM, cited the ongoing civil unrest in Sudan and the suspension of their domestic football league as reasons for his reluctance to accept a proposal that only focused on team-building without a concrete target.
“They initially wanted me to come and build a team for them, but I told them that if it’s just about team-building, I wasn’t ready for that,” Appiah revealed.
“I explained that I needed a clear objective, such as qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations or the World Cup. That’s a goal I could commit to, not just building a team.”
Appiah emphasized that Sudan has talented players and that with the right mindset and a clear target, they can achieve success.
“I told them they already have good players. It’s about setting a target and working towards it, not just building a team. You need to psych the players up to perform at their best,” he added.
Appiah’s Sudan side will face Ghana in a crucial 2025 AFCON qualifier on Thursday at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Falcons of Jediane currently sit second in Group F with three points, while Ghana trails in third with two points, making this match pivotal for both teams' qualification hopes.