Journalist breaks down Kwesi Appiah's transformational impact on Sudan

Following Sudan's historic victory at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, a Sudanese journalist has detailed the profound, multi-layered impact Ghanaian coach Kwesi Appiah has had on the nation's football, crediting him with a transformation that borders on the miraculous.

Journalist Ibrahim Salih, speaking to Sporty FM after Sudan's first AFCON win in 13 years, painted a vivid picture of Appiah's influence, which he ranked as the most significant factor in the team's success.

At the core of this transformation, according to Salih, was a complete mental revolution. "He worked on their mentality and made our players believe that they can do it," Salih stated, pinpointing this shift from doubt to self-belief as Appiah's primary achievement. This psychological overhaul was cited as the direct reason for achieving what seemed impossible: "Nobody believed Sudan was going to qualify for AFCON."

The impact has extended far beyond the pitch, fostering a unique diplomatic and cultural bridge between Sudan and Ghana. Salih's gratitude transcended sport, creating a national affection: "We are so happy and we love Ghana very well because Kwesi Appiah has done a lot for us."

Finally, Salih highlighted Appiah's embodiment of leadership beyond tactics**. He suggested the coach's value was not found in a playbook but in a deeper, holistic approach to building a team: "Kwesi Appiah has a lot more than training."

The tangible result of this transformation is a team now on the verge of the AFCON knockout stages, needing only a draw against Burkina Faso to advance—a scenario that seemed like an unattainable dream before Appiah's tenure.