Sudan’s Assistant Coach Ignatius Osei-Fosu Admits Concern Over Facing Ghana in AFCON Qualifiers
Sudan’s assistant coach, Ignatius Osei-Fosu, has revealed that he was not pleased when Ghana was drawn into their group for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Being a Ghanaian himself, he feared the pressure and potential backlash from his home country, particularly because Sudan’s head coach, Kwasi Appiah, is a former Ghana manager and a member of the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) Executive Council. Speaking on Asempa FM’s SportsNite Show, Osei-Fosu admitted he was worried that his family and friends would blame him if Ghana failed to qualify for the tournament. He recalled similar experiences in the past when people held him responsible for Ghana’s struggles in AFCON qualification.
Despite his concerns, Osei-Fosu and Sudan delivered a strong performance against Ghana. The first leg ended in a goalless draw, but Sudan secured a decisive 2-0 victory in the return fixture, ultimately earning their place in the 2025 AFCON tournament. Their success meant that Ghana, a powerhouse in African football, missed out on the competition, a significant setback for the Black Stars. Sudan’s qualification, along with Angola’s, was a proud achievement for the team, especially given the competitive nature of the qualifiers. This result also underscored the impact of Kwasi Appiah’s leadership and Osei-Fosu’s tactical contributions to Sudan’s progress.
With Ghana’s absence from the tournament confirmed, discussions have arisen about the state of Ghanaian football and what needs to change moving forward. Meanwhile, Sudan will shift their focus to preparing for the AFCON tournament, where they will aim to build on their recent success. Osei-Fosu’s comments highlight the emotional and professional challenges faced by coaches when competing against their home nations, especially in high-stakes matches like AFCON qualifiers. As the tournament approaches, Sudan’s performance will be closely watched, particularly to see if they can maintain their impressive form on the continental stage.
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