Sudan assistant coach rates 2025 AFCON qualification as a better achievement than World Cup

Assistant coach of the Sudan national football team, Ignatius Osei-Fosu believes that qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is a more significant milestone than securing a spot in the FIFA World Cup.

Osei-Fosu, alongside head coach Kwasi Appiah, successfully guided the Falcons of Jediane to the upcoming AFCON tournament, set to take place in Morocco next year. Sudan clinched their qualification by finishing second in Group F with eight points.

Currently, Sudan also leads Group B in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with 10 points after four games, putting them in a strong position to potentially earn their first-ever appearance on football’s biggest stage.

Despite this, Osei-Fosu insists that reaching the AFCON remains a greater achievement. “I see qualifying for the AFCON as a greater achievement than securing a World Cup slot,” he told 3Sports.

He explained that even if Sudan were to miss out on World Cup qualification, their efforts have revitalized the country’s football spirit.

“It will never be a failure on our part should we fail to qualify for the World Cup. At least we gave them some belief and hope,” he said.

The Falcons of Jediane will face Senegal and South Sudan in the next round of World Cup qualifiers in March 2025, as they continue their pursuit of international success.