Kwesi Appiah’s CAF nomination: A second chance for Ghana’s coaching legacy

The announcement of Kwasi Appiah’s nomination for the 2024 CAF Coach of the Year Award has ignited fresh conversations about Ghana’s football landscape. 

His success story, however, feels bittersweet to many Ghanaians, as it not only celebrates a milestone in his career but also serves as a stark reminder of the missed opportunity for Ghana’s national team.

At 65, Appiah has transformed the Sudanese national team in less than a year. His appointment, initially met with skepticism, has proven to be a masterstroke. For Ghanaians, his nomination comes with pride, but it also highlights frustrations with the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) decision to terminate his contract in 2020.

Many hoped parting ways with Appiah would signal a fresh start for the Black Stars. Yet, four years on, the challenges persist. The national team’s struggles today mirror the issues that led to his dismissal—poor results, inconsistent performances and an elusive sense of cohesion on the pitch. 
Appiah’s success with Sudan feels like a vindication for the coach, whose value appears to have been more appreciated abroad than at home.

A tough road to continental glory

For Appiah to win the CAF Coach of the Year Award, he will have to outperform a competitive field of talented tacticians who have excelled both in national and club competitions.

His rivals include Pedro Goncalves of Angola, Emerse Fae of Côte d’Ivoire, Jose Gomes of Zamalek, Florent Ibenge of Al Hilal among others. These coaches have earned recognition for leading their teams to impressive victories, making the race for the top prize fiercely competitive.

Appiah’s work in Sudan’s AFCON qualifiers has been outstanding. His team’s unexpected rise has drawn admiration from fans across the continent. Yet, for Ghanaians, it is hard not to wonder what might have been had Appiah’s talents been nurtured further within the national team setup.

Decline in Ghana’s football influence

Appiah’s nomination has also cast a spotlight on the dwindling influence of Ghana football in continental awards. Apart from his nomination, the only other Ghanaian in contention is Abdul Aziz Issah, a rising star, nominated for Young Player of the Year and Interclub Player of the Year. 

While Issah’s inclusion is a positive sign, the absence of Black Stars players from the CAF Player of the Year Award list is a worrying indicator of the national team’s stagnation.

Ghana has a rich history of individual success in these awards. Legends such as Ibrahim Sunday, Abdul Razak and Abedi Pele were once regular fixtures in the CAF awards, with Pele securing the prestigious Player of the Year Award twice (1991, 1992). Since then, no Ghanaian player has come close to replicating that success—a drought that reflects the broader decline in the quality and influence of Ghanaian football on the continental stage.

Time for reflection and support

Appiah’s nomination should be more than just a celebration of individual success. It should trigger introspection within the GFA and the broader football community.

His story is a lesson in patience and trust in local coaching talent. The fact that Appiah is now excelling on the international stage underscores the need for Ghana to support and develop its coaches rather than look to foreign solutions at every setback.

Similarly, the spotlight on Abdul Aziz Issah serves as a reminder of the importance of nurturing young talent. His nominations demonstrate that while Ghanaian football is struggling at the national level, individual players still have the potential to shine.

Winning the CAF Coach of the Year Award would not only validate Appiah’s remarkable journey but also serve as a symbolic victory for Ghanaian coaching. It could inspire a new generation of coaches and players, offering a much-needed boost to the nation’s football ambitions. 

The challenge now is for Ghanaians to rally behind Appiah and Issah in their respective pursuits and provide the support needed to reclaim the country’s place among Africa’s footballing elites.