Angola coach Pedro Goncalves has praised Kwesi Appiah as a ‘legend of African football’ as they prepare for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Angola is set to face Ghana, Sudan, and Niger in Group F for the 2025 tournament, which will be held in Morocco. The Palancas Negras will meet Appiah’s Sudan at the Estadio on 9th September in Luanda, just four days after they clash with Ghana in Kumasi.
In an interview with Ghanasportspage.com, Goncalves acknowledged the significant impact Appiah has had in the Sudan national team. “Kwesi Appiah is a legend in Africa, and he is doing a great job in Sudan,” Goncalves said. “I think the group is very balanced. All four teams have an opportunity to get points from each so it’s a quick championship, six matches and my hope and all my efforts is that at the end of the qualifiers, we get the ticket for Morocco but for sure, Sudan will also be a big challenge for us but it is what it is and we must be prepared for it”
Under Appiah’s leadership, Sudan has made impressive strides, currently leading Group B in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Since Appiah took charge in September 2023, Sudan has lost only once in eight matches and sits atop their qualifying group ahead of Senegal.
The 2025 AFCON, initially scheduled for June to July, has been rescheduled to run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, in Morocco.
