“I have big respect for him” – Black Stars coach Otto Addo praises Sudan’s Kwesi Appiah ahead of AFCON Qualifiers

Black Stars coach Otto Addo has shared his admiration for Sudan’s trainer, Kwesi Appiah, as the teams prepare to clash in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The doubleheader against Sudan in October marks a critical step in Ghana’s pursuit of a return to the tournament. Appiah has a rich history with the Black Stars, having served as head coach during two separate stints, including leading the national team to the World Cup in 2014.

“I have big respect for Kwesi Appiah for what he has achieved as a player and also as a coach for Ghana and I am looking forward to this game,” he said during the announcement of his squad for the matches next week.

Ghana’s journey in the qualifiers has been rocky so far, with a loss to Angola in their opening game in Kumasi followed by a draw against Niger in their second Group F match.

Addo emphasized the importance of securing victories in both matches to bolster Ghana’s chances of qualifying for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. “To be honest, it doesn’t matter who is on the other side. We are focused on our team and preparing ourselves as best as possible.

This game is primarily about us, our attitude towards it, and that’s what we’re concentrating on,” he added.The Black Stars will face Sudan on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at the Accra Sports Stadium.