By: Kwame Bediako
Kwesi Appiah steering Sudan’s faltering ship at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, cut a candid figure after his side’s 3-0 demolition by Algeria in Rabat.
The former Black Stars coach labeled the Fennecs a “team with quality across the board,” conceding his players were outgunned from the whistle in their Group E curtain-raiser at Moulay Hassan Stadium.
For Appiah, whose own AFCON heartbreaks with Ghana linger in memory, this rout stung as a stark reminder of continental hierarchies.
Algeria’s resurgence under Vladimir Petkovic shone bright, with captain Riyad Mahrez striking twice, his opener inside two minutes setting a blistering tone. Sudan’s task grew dire when Salah El-Din Adel earned a red card before half-time, handing the 2019 champions a man-up edge they exploited ruthlessly.
Substitute Ibrahim Maza’s late clincher rubber-stamped dominance, leaving Appiah’s charges rooted at the Group E basement alongside Equatorial Guinea, while Algeria and Burkina Faso share the summit.
Appiah’s post-match candor drew on his pedigree, admitting Sudan were “second best” against a superior force but vowing a fierce rebound.
“We were up against a stronger side… We will do everything to bounce back,” he declared, eyes already on revival against Equatorial Guinea and Burkina Faso. His words carried weight from Accra to Khartoum, where fans see echoes of his 2013 Ghana triumphs amid current woes.
This clash underscored Algeria’s predatory intent, their early blitz and composure dismantling Sudan’s resolve. For Appiah, tasked with igniting Sudan’s first deep AFCON run, the loss tests his resilience, much like past Black Stars campaigns where he turned tides.
With qualification hanging by threads, his focus sharpens on regrouping, blending Ghanaian grit with Falcon fire.
Sudan’s path demands miracles now, but Appiah’s unyielding spirit offers hope. As Group E heats up, the Ghanaian maestro plots a comeback, proving coaching nous transcends borders in Africa’s fiercest tournament.
