“Unfortunate, but lessons to learn” – Kwesi Appiah reflects on Ghana’s AFCON failure

Former Black Stars coach and current Executive Committee member of the Ghana Football Association, James Kwesi Appiah has described Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as “unfortunate” but urged lessons to be learned from the experience.

Appiah, now head coach of Sudan, recently guided the Falcons of Jediane to secure their place in next year’s tournament in Morocco.

Sudan qualified with a goalless draw against Angola in their final Group F match, finishing second with 8 points.

Angola topped the group, while Ghana shockingly finished last with just 3 points from six games — marking their first AFCON qualification failure in 21 years.

“From the beginning, I said only two teams will qualify, and it was just unfortunate that Ghana was not able to go,” Appiah told Ghanasportspage.com.

“But sometimes things happen that you learn from, and you make sure it doesn’t repeat itself again. That’s life and that’s football. If certain things don’t go well, you sit down and think about how to make it better.

”Appiah, appointed Sudan’s head coach earlier this year on a three-year contract, achieved this feat despite the nation’s political instability, which forced the team to play all their matches away from home.

Sudan’s qualification is their first since 2012, marking a return to the tournament for a team that last tasted AFCON glory in 1970 when they hosted the competition.

The Falcons have struggled in recent decades, making only three appearances in the last 24 editions and advancing past the group stage just once.

With Appiah at the helm, Sudan hopes to make a significant impact in Morocco, as they aim to revive their status on the African football stage.For Ghana, attention now turns to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The Black Stars will face Chad and Madagascar in March 2025 as they seek redemption following their AFCON disappointment.

The 2025 AFCON in Morocco begins on January 13, with Sudan among the 24 nations competing for the coveted title.