Coaching chess match: Appiah’s insider knowledge vs Otto Addo’s quest for redemption

When James Kwasi Appiah takes his position in the technical area at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday, October 10, 2024, it will be far from a routine game.

As the head coach of Sudan's national football team, known as the Nile Crocodiles, he is set to face a Ghanaian side he once led to the pinnacle of international football. 

This 2025 AFCON qualifier between the Black Stars and the Nile Crocodides is not just about securing points —It is a clash that delves deep into emotions, football loyalty, and tactical mastery.

For Appiah, the encounter is an emotional homecoming. He captained Ghana during his playing days and later served as the Black Stars’ head coach at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 AFCON.

Now, his intimate knowledge of Ghana’s strengths and weaknesses could significantly impact Thursday’s fixture and the return leg in Benghazi on Tuesday, October 15.

To add an intriguing twist, Appiah currently holds a position on the Ghana Football Association’s Executive Council (ExCo), where he contributes to shaping policies aimed at revitalising the sport in the country.

Yet, as the coach of a team determined to block Ghana’s path to the next AFCON, Appiah finds himself at the centre of a potential conflict of interest—an inside man whose knowledge could tip the balance against the Black Stars.

Since taking charge of Sudan, Appiah has transformed the Nile Crocodiles into a formidable outfit. Unbeaten in their World Cup qualifying campaign, they top a group featuring former African champions Senegal.

In the ongoing AFCON qualifiers, Sudan trail only Angola in Group F, and victory against Ghana will significantly boost their hopes of securing a place at the continental showpiece in Morocco.

Standing on the opposite side is Ghana’s coach Otto Addo, under immense pressure to revive his team’s AFCON campaign after a dismal start.

His side have managed just one point from two games, making Thursday’s clash a must-win. Addo’s squad boasts an array of European talent, but converting that star power into cohesive, winning performances has been a challenge.

Yesterday, the Ghana coach named a 25-man squad for the back-to-back fixtures against Sudan, featuring familiar faces like Alexander Djiku, Gideon Mensah, and Ernest Nuamah, who return after missing last month’s matches due to injuries.

The new face is FC Samartex’s left-back Isaac Afful, and with Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Frederick Asare, they are the only two home-based players in the squad.

Otto Addo, who acknowledged Appiah’s achievements as a player and a coach, insists he is fully focused on preparing his team to secure maximum points.

“We have respect for senior players, but on the pitch, I want everyone to be demanding, shout, criticise positively, provide solutions, and show positive energy,” Addo remarked when announcing his squad.

Skipper Thomas Partey, in-form Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo, seasoned campaigner Jordan Ayew, Ajax’s midfield maestro Mohammed Kudus, and Spain-based Iñaki Williams are all expected to feature on Thursday.

Their recent form offers optimism: Semenyo netted for Bournemouth last weekend, Salisu scored his first UEFA Champions League goal, and Williams has been directly involved in six goals in his last six games for Athletic Bilbao.

For Addo, the challenge lies in balancing his striking options. “It is always a challenge to decide on a player’s position at club level versus at international level.

It’s not just about the player, but what’s best for the team,” the Ghana coach noted, hinting at a possible tactical reshuffle.

Despite Sudan’s resilience under Appiah, history favours the Black Stars. Since 2009, the Ghanaians have won seven of their nine encounters against Sudan, scoring 18 goals and conceding just three.

But the current form of the Black Stars—marked by inconsistent performances and defensive lapses—gives Sudan a rare opportunity to capitalise and secure a landmark win on Ghanaian soil.

Thursday’s clash is not just about securing three points; it is about reigniting belief in a team that has flattered to deceive in recent times.

A commanding  home win could restore confidence and silence critics, while a slip-up could see Appiah exploit his inside knowledge of the Ghanaian set-up.

Ghana’s star-studded squad will need to be wary, as Sudan have evolved into a unit capable of upsetting Africa’s elite. Appiah’s insider knowledge and tactical nous could be the edge the visitors need to pull off a shock result, potentially derailing Ghana’s AFCON aspirations.

The battle lines are drawn, and for Coach Appiah, who parted ways with the GFA in 2019 after his contract was not renewed, this encounter represents more than just an international fixture.

It is a chance to remind his former employers of what they lost and, perhaps, to make a statement that will resonate far beyond the stadium.

Ghana Squad:

Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati Zigi (St. Gallen), Joseph Wollacott (Crawley Town), Frederick Asare (Asante Kotoko)
Defenders: Tariq Lamptey (Brighton & Hove Albion), Kingsley Schindler (Samsunspor), Alexander Djiku (Fenerbahce Istanbul), Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano), Mohammed Salisu (AS Monaco), Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir), Alidu Seidu (Stade Rennes), Gideon Mensah (AJ Auxerre), Isaac Afful (FC Samartex)
Midfielders and Forwards: Thomas Partey (Arsenal), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Mohammed Kudus (Ajax), Iñaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth), Ernest Nuamah (Lyon).