Sudan head coach James Kwesi Appiah has spoken passionately about his team’s motivation ahead of their Round of 16 clash against Senegal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, revealing that the players are driven by the desire to bring hope to a nation torn by war.
Speaking before the knockout encounter on Saturday, January 3, the Ghanaian tactician admitted the challenge that lies ahead but stressed that Sudan are determined to go as far as possible in the tournament.
According to Kwesi Appiah, the team is hoping that success on the continental stage could have a positive impact on the situation back home, where years of conflict have deeply affected the population.
He explained that the players are motivated by more than football, as they continue to represent a country facing immense hardship.
“We are hoping that if we win [AFCON] it will let the war calm down or even cease. It’s very hard on us to live away from our families, from our homes. We are trying to cope with these circumstances, trying to please our fans, and hopefully things will get better. Everything we are doing on the pitch is an attempt to make things better for our people,” Kwesi Appiah said.
Sudan has been plagued by civil war in recent years, a situation that has claimed thousands of lives and forced the national team to play all their AFCON 2025 qualifiers outside the country. Despite these challenges, the team defied the odds to reach the knockout stage of the competition.
Sudan will now take on Senegal in the Round of 16, carrying the hopes of a nation as they continue their AFCON 2025 journey.
