Sudan head coach James Kwesi Appiah has announced his squad for the September international window as the Falcons of Jediane prepare to begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
The Ghanaian coach has selected his players for two important fixtures against Ethiopia and Mozambique, with Sudan aiming to secure qualification for the finals in Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.
Sudan will open their qualifying campaign against Ethiopia on 25 September in Juba before travelling to face Mozambique four days later.
The second match will take place on 29 September at Maputo Stadium, giving Appiah and his players two early opportunities to make a strong start to their campaign.
The squad announcement comes just days before the resumption of the TotalEnergies CAF PAMOJA 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Appiah will be hoping his team can build on its experience from the previous edition of the continental competition in Morocco.
Sudan reached the last Africa Cup of Nations but their campaign ended at the group stage after they finished third in Group E.
Their experience at that tournament has provided the foundation for their latest qualification bid, with the Falcons of Jediane now targeting a place in the next finals.
For Appiah, continuity and experience are expected to be important elements of Sudan’s approach as they attempt to progress through the qualifying campaign.
The coach has opted to name his squad for what could prove to be two significant early fixtures, with Ethiopia first standing in Sudan’s way before Mozambique provide the second test.
The opening encounter against Ethiopia will be played in Juba on 25 September. Sudan will then have four days before travelling to Maputo for their meeting with Mozambique.
The two matches represent the first major assignments for Appiah’s squad in the latest stage of the African Cup of Nations qualification process.
Sudan’s previous appearance at the tournament means the players have recent experience of competing at the highest level of African international football. However, their third-place finish in Group E meant they were unable to advance beyond the group stage.
The objective this time is to go further by earning a place at the finals.
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be hosted jointly by Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya, and Sudan want to be among the teams competing for the continental title.
Appiah is therefore relying on the experience within his squad as the Falcons prepare for a demanding qualifying campaign.
The Ghanaian manager’s decision to emphasise continuity reflects Sudan’s desire to use the lessons of their previous tournament appearance while working towards another qualification.
With the first qualifier against Ethiopia less than a month away, the squad now has a clear target: begin the campaign strongly and put themselves in contention for qualification.
The trip to Mozambique will quickly follow, ensuring Sudan have little time between their opening fixtures.
Appiah will therefore have to prepare his players for two matches in a short period, beginning in Juba before moving to Maputo.
Sudan’s hopes of reaching the 2027 finals will begin with those encounters, while the squad selected by Appiah will look to turn its previous Africa Cup of Nations experience into a successful qualifying campaign.
The Falcons of Jediane are aiming not merely to repeat their participation in the previous tournament, but to secure another place at the finals and continue their progress in African football.
With Appiah placing his faith in continuity and experience, Sudan now prepare for their opening challenge against Ethiopia before facing Mozambique four days later.
