Appiah begins Sudan adventure, picks Ghanaian assistants

Former Ghana coach, James Kwasi Appiah, begins a new chapter in his career as he makes a return to the Sudan to take charge of the national team with his Ghanaian backroom staff.

Yesterday, Ignatius Osei-Fosu, a surprise choice as an assistant coach by Appiah, confirmed to the Graphic Sports that he was joining the backroom staff of the celebrated Appiah alongside former Black Stars goalkeeper, Fatawu Dauda, as assistant coaches of the Sudan national team with the trio expected in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, on Monday, September 9. 

The young coach told the Graphic Sports prior to their departure yesterday that he was excited about the new and challenging role, and indicated his readiness to support the 63-year-old Appiah to succeed.

This is the first time the 37-year-old would be working in a supporting role in a national team and thanked Coach Appiah for the faith reposed in him by picking him as a member of his technical team.

Dauda, who until recently was the goalkeepers’ trainer of the Black Satellites, also held a coaching position at the renowned Right to Dream Academy, equipping him with the requisite experience for his new role in the north African country.

He made 26 appearances for the Black Stars and was the national team's first choice goalkeeper during the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and 2014 FIFA World Cup when Coach Appiah was in charge of the national team.

Coach Osei-Fosu also has earned his stripes having started his career as a scout for Mas-Ud Didi Dramani during his stint as coach of Asante Kotoko.

He then moved to work as the assistant coach of Liberty Professionals during the 2016-17 league season before taking over as head coach of Techiman Eleven Wonders in 2019. In 2021 he joined Medeama SC and also had coaching stints with Dreams FC and King Faisal FC.

Appiah, who was recently elected as a member of the Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association, is currently the Technical Director of Kotoko and a member of the club's Interim Management Committee. He makes a return to the North African country following his success with Sudanese club, Al Khartoum between, 2014-2017.

Appiah was first in charge of the Ghana national team between 2012-2014 before returning in 2017 until his contract run out in 2020.