Ignatius Osei-Fosu, assistant coach of Sudan, identified Ghana’s loss to Angola as a decisive moment in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, significantly hampering Ghana’s chances of qualifying. This loss, coupled with the pressure of subsequent matches, ultimately led to Ghana’s struggles in the campaign, reflecting the complexities faced by the coaching staff involved.
Ignatius Osei-Fosu, the assistant coach of the Sudan national football team, indicated that Ghana’s defeat to Angola was pivotal in determining their prospects in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Osei-Fosu, who previously coached in the Ghana Premier League, joined Kwasi Appiah’s coaching staff when Appiah was appointed to lead Sudan’s national team.
In a notable turn of events during the qualifiers, both Ghana and Sudan ended up grouped together. Sudan remarkably advanced to the AFCON in Morocco, achieving four points against Ghana, having triumphed 2-0 in an away match and drawing 0-0 during a home contest in Accra. Despite Ghana’s loss in several matches, Osei-Fosu emphasized that it was the initial qualifying match against Angola that sealed Ghana’s fate. He recounted that a late defensive error by Abdul Mumin led to a 1-0 loss for Ghana, significantly impacting their chances of qualifying.
He stated, “Losing in Kumasi to Angola, I think that was the end of the qualifiers for Ghana. Once you lose a home game, it becomes very difficult to recover.” According to Osei-Fosu, the pressure to win after this loss hindered their performance in subsequent matches, despite a belief that Ghana could have won against Niger in Morocco under different circumstances.
Osei-Fosu also highlighted the emotional burden on the coaching staff, predominantly comprising Ghanaians, during this challenging period for Ghana. He remarked on the complexity of sentiments faced by Appiah, who is not only the head coach of Sudan but also an Executive Council member, navigating the dual challenges of leading another nation while witnessing the struggles of his homeland.
Since his appointment in October 2023, Appiah has led Sudan to their first AFCON appearance since 2013, and they currently sit atop their group in the CAF World Cup qualifiers with 10 points.
The article discusses the challenges faced by the Ghana national football team during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, particularly focusing on a critical moment in their campaign as identified by Sudan’s assistant coach, Ignatius Osei-Fosu. It explores the implications of Ghana’s home loss to Angola and the emotional dynamics of experienced coaches leading rival teams, emphasizing the importance of mental fortitude in competitive sports.
In conclusion, the Sudan national team’s assistant coach, Ignatius Osei-Fosu, pointed out that Ghana’s journey in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers was adversely affected by their loss to Angola. This defeat underscored the significance of a strong home performance in qualifying campaigns, while the emotional ramifications on the coaching staff illustrated the personal stakes involved in international football. Meanwhile, Sudan’s successful advancement under Kwasi Appiah marks a noteworthy shift in their football trajectory.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
