2025 AFCON Qualifiers: Kwesi Appiah holds advantage over Ghana - Laryea Kingston

[caption id="attachment_978578" align="alignnone" width="300"] Kwesi Appiah[/caption]

Former Ghana midfielder Laryea Kingston believes Kwesi Appiah will hold an advantage when Sudan meets Ghana in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Ghana finds itself grouped with Sudan, Angola, and Niger in the upcoming qualifiers, a draw that has sparked considerable debate due to Appiah's dual role as a former Ghana coach and current Sudan manager.

Appiah previously guided the Black Stars to the 2014 World Cup and the 2019 AFCON, achievements that underscore his familiarity with Ghanaian football culture.

Speaking to 3Sports following the draw, Kingston emphasized Appiah's insider knowledge, stating,

"Kwesi Appiah is a Ghanaian and he knows how we approach games," Kingston told 3Sports after the draw. "He knows a lot of positives about Ghanaians and our mindset, so I think it's going to be very difficult for us. Kwesi Appiah will have an advantage as he knows us more than Otto will know the Sudanese players."

Kingston pointed to Appiah's recent successes in steering Sudan through the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, where Sudan currently leads Group B with 10 points after four matches.

"If I am in Kwesi Appiah's shoes now, it will be a game I will be looking forward to," Kingston continued. "There are so many things I will have to prove and show that I still have what it takes to lead this country. It is going to be one of the best games in Otto's time at the Black Stars."

The AFCON qualifiers are slated to kick off in September 2024 and conclude in November 2024. The top two teams from each group will progress to the AFCON finals in Morocco, scheduled for December 2025 to January 2026.

Meanwhile, Ghana aims to secure its fifth AFCON title, with the team's last triumph dating back to 1982. The campaign under coach Otto Addo assumes critical importance in the quest to revive national footballing glory and pride.