Sudan’s head coach, Kwesi Appiah, has expressed his ambition to lead the Falcons of Jediane to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Appiah’s comments follow his team’s impressive qualification to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to take place in Morocco.
Sudan currently tops Group B with 10 points from four matches, a strong position that underscores their recent success.
Speaking to BBC Africa, Appiah emphasized the importance of aiming high.
“I tell [the players]: ‘How can you aim to go to the World Cup if you don’t put yourself at the level of Spain, England, or Brazil?’” he said.
The Ghanaian coach also highlighted the unifying power of football, referencing Sudan’s resounding 3-0 victory against South Sudan in Juba.
“Large sections of the crowd joined in with Sudan’s national anthem,” he said. “It brought a lot of unity to both countries.”
Sudan faces stiff competition in Group B alongside Senegal and DR Congo.
Appiah will aim to sustain the team’s strong momentum in the upcoming fixtures against Senegal and South Sudan, scheduled for Matchdays Five and Six in March 2025.