Sudan’s head coach, James Kwasi Appiah, has resigned from his position as an Executive Council Member of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
His aide, Asante Forkuo, explained that the decision stemmed from a conflict of interest, as Appiah held dual roles with the GFA and the Sudan national team.
The resignation is said to be temporary, lasting until November 2024, allowing Appiah to fully concentrate on coaching Sudan ahead of their upcoming matches against Ghana’s Black Stars.
“Coach Kwasi Appiah has temporarily stepped aside as Executive Council Member of the GFA until the end of November 2024. In response to CAF copying the GFA, he cited conflict of interest as the reason.
Since the start of AFCON qualifiers, Appiah has excused himself from all EXCO activities,” Asante Forkuo shared on X on October 7, 2024.
Kwasi Appiah has faced increased pressure since his team, Sudan, was drawn in the same group as Ghana for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Dr. Randy Abbey, a member of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council (Exco), revealed that Appiah has not attended any Exco meetings since the qualifying draw was made.
Appiah was elected to the Exco in 2023 after securing 10 votes, largely due to his role as a member of Asante Kotoko’s Interim Management Committee.
With the Black Stars yet to secure a win in their opening two matches, they will look to turn things around when they face Sudan in a crucial doubleheader.
The first leg is scheduled for October 11, with the second leg set for October 14, 2024.
The GFA Executive Council, the highest decision-making body in Ghana football, consists of 22 members, including the association’s president.