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Former Ghana coach Appiah hopes to guide Sudan to victory over his country of birth in a crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Matchday three Qualifier today.
The off-form Black Stars cannot afford to lose the Group F match in Accra to rivals 50 places lower in the world rankings after making a dismal start in the campaign to reach the finals in Morocco. Last month, Ghana lost at home to Angola and then surrendered the lead in a draw away to Niger, and sit third in a section where only the top two finishers qualify.
Angola and Sudan are first and second with six and three points respectively after the first two matches in a six-round competition.
Appiah, a 64-year-old who has had two spells as Ghana coach, has impressed with Sudan, a team unable to play at home since last year because of a civil war. The Sudanese top a 2026 World Cup qualifying group that includes Senegal. They boast a consistent scorer in Mohamed Abdelrahman. Ghana coach Otto Addo has lost four of his squad 54 to injuries, with Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey the most notable absentee.
NIGERIA V LIBYA
Injured 2023 African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen is absent, but caretaker Nigeria coach Augustine Eguavoen can choose his forwards from seven playing in top European leagues. Among them is Ademola Lookman, the only African contender for the Ballon d’Or this year, and a likely starter for the Group D leaders in Uyo. Bottom-placed Libya have fired Serbian coach Milutin Sredojevic and local replacement Nasser al Hadhiri has admitted that “a draw in Nigeria would be a positive result for us”.
SOUTH AFRICA V CONGO
South Africa have lost injured ‘super sub’ Thalente Mbatha and unavailable winger Percy Tau, while midfielder Jay-den Adams has been dropped for unspecified ill-discipline.
The 2024 AFCON bronze medallists did not impress last month with Mbatha scoring added-time goals to salvage a Group K draw with Uganda and a win over minnows South Sudan.
Congo have struggled, with a six-goal World Cup qualifying hammering from Morocco the low point, and are likely to return empty-handed from eastern coastal city Gqeberha.
who conceded six goals when losing Group L qualifiers against Burundi and Burkina Faso.— AFP.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter