Asante Forkuo, the personal assistant to Sudan’s head coach, James Kwasi Appiah, recently shared insights about a discussion between Appiah and Otto Addo following their goalless draw in the first match at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Forkuo recounted that Otto Addo approached Appiah after the match to caution him about the upcoming game in Libya, warning that his team would capitalise on opportunities that the Black Stars had missed.
In response, Appiah advised Addo not to take the match too personally, emphasising that both are Ghanaians and that it was merely a qualifying game.
Forkuo pointed out that the overconfidence exhibited by both the coach and the Ghanaians contributed to the Black Stars’ defeat in the second leg in Libya.
“Hypocrisy and overconfidence killed Ghana. After Sudan drew 0-0 with Ghana, most people, including Otto Addo, were confident Ghana would beat Sudan hands-down.
“Otto Addo told Appiah personally, ‘You will not be lucky in Libya; I will beat you.’ Appiah replied, ‘We are all Ghanaians,’” Forkuo wrote on his X page on October 16, 2024.
Despite the initial warning, Kwasi Appiah, who was underestimated before the game, tactically outmanoeuvred the Black Stars’ coach, leading his team to a 2-0 victory.
After four matches, Ghana sits third in Group F with two points, and Sudan holds second place with seven points, and Angola leads the group with twelve points.
The Black Stars will next travel to Angola for their upcoming match and conclude the qualifiers with a home game against Niger.