Sudan coach James Kwesi Appiah is facing three major concerns ahead of the national team’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia, with limited preparation time, a lack of match fitness and the pressure of making a strong start threatening to complicate his plans.
The Falcons of Jediane are currently holding a training camp in Taif, Saudi Arabia, as they prepare for matches against Ethiopia and Mozambique on 25 and 29 September respectively.
Appiah has added three new players to his squad as he attempts to strengthen the team before the two qualifiers, which come at a crucial stage of Sudan’s campaign.
The first match against Ethiopia will be played in Juba, South Sudan, where Sudan will use the venue as its virtual home ground.
However, the coach enters the fixture with concerns over the state of a national team that has experienced significant disruption since its participation in the African Nations Championship in Morocco earlier this year.
National team struggling for continuity
Sudan’s technical staff are dealing with a lack of continuity following the team’s elimination in the round of 16 at the tournament in Morocco.
The national side did not hold training camps for several months, while disagreements between the Football Association and senior players over outstanding dues also affected preparations.
The current gathering in Taif is the team’s first camp during that period and has also come alongside changes to the technical and administrative structure.
Local assistant coach Salah Al-Fanj and administrative director Abu Bakr Al-Mahi have both been removed from their positions. Their departures have disrupted the link between the players and the technical staff.
Reliable sources told Winwin that Appiah has expressed concern about the extended period the players have spent away from the national team.
The Ghanaian coach believes the lack of regular gatherings has increased the difficulty of preparing for the opening two qualifiers, which are viewed as important to Sudan’s hopes of reaching the finals.
The competition also includes Ethiopia and Mozambique, while Senegal are regarded as the side expected to challenge for the first qualifying place.
Players lack match sharpness
Appiah is also dealing with concerns over the physical and competitive readiness of his squad.
The suspension of sporting activities in Sudan and the inconsistency of domestic competitions have left many players without sufficient competitive football.
The coach has therefore had to build his squad around players from Al-Hilal and Al-Merreikh, alongside professionals based abroad.
However, most of the selected players lack the match sharpness required ahead of the qualifiers.
The Taif camp is expected to provide some preparation, but sources told Winwin that the available time will not be enough to completely address the players’ physical and technical shortcomings.
As a result, Appiah is reportedly considering relying heavily on Al-Hilal players, who are regarded as the most prepared members of the squad.
Their advantage comes from having recently competed in the East and Central Africa Championship as well as the opening two rounds of the CAF Champions League.
Pressure to start with a win
Appiah’s third major concern is the importance of avoiding a poor beginning to the qualifying campaign.
The coach, who is entering his fourth year in charge of Sudan, knows that dropping points against Ethiopia could immediately increase the pressure on the team.
A result other than victory in the opening fixture would make qualification more difficult and increase the importance of the return match against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa.
Appiah also wants Sudan to take at least one point from the second-round meeting with Mozambique in Maputo.
His target is therefore to collect at least four points from the opening two matches despite the difficult circumstances surrounding the national team.
The Sudan squad are scheduled to leave Taif for Juba on Sunday, 21 September.
They will arrive 96 hours before their opening qualifier against Ethiopia, which will be played at the Olympic Stadium in the South Sudanese capital.
With limited preparation time, a squad lacking match fitness and the pressure of starting the campaign positively, Appiah now faces a demanding period as Sudan begin their journey towards the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
