Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has made it clear that when his team takes on Sudan in a must-win Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday night, he expects nothing less than a win to keep their qualification hopes alive.
But a familiar face stands in their way – former Black Stars coach James Kwasi Appiah.
After a rocky start to the season that saw them pick up just one point from two matches and leave the team in third place in Group F, the pressure is on for the Ghanaian coach’s side to turn things around.
“We have good footballers and there are better footballers than them so we have to win this match,” Otto Addo said confidently last Friday while announcing his selection for the two-legged qualifying match, underlining his team’s superiority.
Though he is a firm believer in the quality of his players, the Ghanaian tactician is not underestimating Sudan.
This is especially true when it comes to Appiah, who is currently in charge of the Nile Crocodiles.
Otto Addo’s defiant tone suggested the team was ready to perform.
“We know very well their abilities and strengths, but we need to put everything else aside and just do our best,” he stressed.
Appiah’s tenure has brought about a remarkable transformation for the Nile Crocodiles.
They remain unbeaten in their bid to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, drawing in the same group as African champions Senegal.
The North Africans again performed admirably in their 2025 Africa Cup qualifiers, falling just short of Angola in their group position.
His extensive knowledge of Ghana’s style of play and tactical acumen make him a major threat to the Black Stars. The 63-year-old tactician is also now a member of the Ghana Football Association (ExCo) Executive Board.
Thursday’s encounter will be even more exciting as Appiah will aim to beat the very team he helped build.
But despite all the praise and respect, Otto Addo’s attitude remains unwavering.
“We have a lot of respect for Kwasi Appiah and what he has done but we cannot underestimate Sudan,” he said, knowing that any slight misstep could cost the team dearly.
“The days of underestimating certain teams in African football are over.
It’s 2024 – everyone can play, everyone can defend,” he said.
“We have a lot of respect for Kwasi Appiah and what he has done for the national team and for Ghana football.
But on Thursday we have to put all that aside and focus on the game, because it is about us and what we want to achieve.
The Ghanaian coach will have to rely on his experienced core of players to handle this sensitive game master.
Key players include captain Thomas Partey, in-form Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo, experienced striker Jordan Ayew and West Ham United’s always impressive playmaker Mohamed Kudus, who scored his first English Premiership goal last Saturday and is expected to lead the attack.
Also back in the team is promising Olympique Lyonnais striker Ernest Nuama, who had to miss the final matchday due to injury.
Tactically, manager Otto Addo has hinted at some changes, especially in attack, as he aims to find the right balance with options like Semenyo and Inaki Williams, who have both performed impressively for their respective clubs this season.
For Appiah, the match isn’t just about tactics and goals: it’s also an emotional homecoming.
He led Ghana to the pinnacle of international football in 2014 and knows the Black Stars’ inner processes better than anyone.
There is a lot of respect and friendship between the two Ghanaian coaches, but there will be no love on the sidelines after kick-off.
Appiah’s tactical sense and insider knowledge could be the deciding factor, giving the visiting team a tactical advantage against a Ghanaian side still searching for its rhythm.
But history speaks for the Black Stars.
In nine meetings since 2009, Ghana has won seven times, scoring 18 goals and conceding just three.
But these are different times, the Ghanaian coach insisted.
Sudan are no longer the underdogs and any lapse in concentration could allow his team to exploit its strengths on Ghanaian soil.
Thursday’s clash is more than just a qualification match.
It’s a battle to rekindle faith in an often elusive Ghana team.
A win would restore confidence and breathe new life into Ghana’s AFCON campaign.
But a failure would give Appiah’s Sudanese team the advantage and could doom the Black Stars’ 2025 tour of Morocco.
