Sudan head coach James Kwasi Appiah has said he aims to make history by qualifying the country for their first-ever FIFA World Cup.
According to him, his targets also include building a competitive team that will also be able to qualify for the next Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Appiah made a winning start to life as Sudan’s head coach after guiding them to a rare victory against Chad – their first win since March.
The North African side edged Chad 1-0 in an international friendly at the King Fahd Stadium in Saudi Arabia earlier in October.
Although Appiah’s spell as Sudan boss has been slightly destabilised by the turmoil in the country, the Ghanaian coach said he still hopes to achieve his targets, having been the first indegenous coach to lead Ghana to the World Cup in 2014.
“The target I have been given is to build a team and ensure the team qualify for the 2026 World Cup and the next edition of the Africa Cup of Nations,” Appiah told Asempa FM, as quoted by Ghanaweb.
“The only challenge is that there is no ongoing league due to the ongoing war which has forced them to operate from Saudi Arabia but I hope order and peace will be restored in the country.”
The Sudanese Football Association announced the appointment of Appiah as head coach of the country’s national team in September.
The FA said the 63-year-old has signed a contract that will see him manage the Falcons for the next three years.
Appiah’s backroom staff is dominated by Ghanaians – Ignatius Osei Fosu is his assistant, while former Ghana goalkeeper Fatau Dauda is Sudan’s goalkeepers’ trainer.
Meanwhile, Sudan have been paired in Group B of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, alongside DR Congo, Mauritania, Senegal, South Sudan and Togo.
Source: EMMANUEL AYAMGA