Black Stars Head Coach, Otto Addo, has made it clear that he expects nothing less than a victory on Thursday night as they face Sudan in a must-win Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium to keep their qualification hopes alive.
But standing in their way is a familiar figure—former Black Stars Coach, James Kwasi Appiah.
With just one point from two matches, the pressure is mounting on the Ghanaian coach’s side to turn things around after a stuttering start to the campaign, which has left the team third in Group F.
“We have good footballers, better footballers than them, so we have to win this game,” Otto Addo asserted confidently last Friday, emphasising the superiority of his squad as he announced his selection for the two-leg qualifier.
Despite his firm belief in the quality of his players, the Ghanaian tactician is not underestimating Sudan, especially with Appiah now at the helm of the Nile Crocodiles.
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With pressure on him for a turnaround, Otto Addo’s defiant tone suggested that his team is ready to deliver. “We are very much aware of their ability and strength, but we have to put everything aside and just give our all,” he insisted.
Appiah’s tenure has brought a remarkable transformation to the Nile Crocodiles, who are unbeaten in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign and holding their own in a group featuring African champions Senegal.
The North Africans have again performed admirably in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, trailing only Angola in the group standings. His extensive knowledge of Ghana’s style of play, coupled with his tactical acumen, poses a significant threat to the Black Stars.
The 63-year-old tactician also currently serves on the Ghana Football Association’s Executive Council (ExCo), making Thursday’s clash even more intriguing as Appiah will be striving to defeat the very team he helps to shape.
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Yet for all the admiration and respect, Otto Addo remains unflinching in his approach.
“We have so much respect for Kwasi Appiah for what he has achieved, but we cannot afford to underrate Sudan,” he noted, aware that any slip-up could cost his side dearly. “Those days of underestimating certain teams in African football are over. This is 2024—everyone can play, and everyone can defend,” he said.
“We have so much respect for Kwasi Appiah and what he has done for the national team and Ghanaian football. But on Thursday, we must put all that aside and focus on the game because it’s about us and what we want to achieve.”