Black Stars Head Coach, Otto Addo, has made it clear that he expects nothing less than a victory on Thursday night as they face Sudan in a must-win Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium to keep their qualification hopes alive.

But standing in their way is a familiar figure—former Black Stars Coach, James Kwasi Appiah.

With just one point from two matches, the pressure is mounting on the Ghanaian coach’s side to turn things around after a stuttering start to the campaign, which has left the team third in Group F.

“We have good footballers, better footballers than them, so we have to win this game,” Otto Addo asserted confidently last Friday, emphasising the superiority of his squad as he announced his selection for the two-leg qualifier.

Despite his firm belief in the quality of his players, the Ghanaian tactician is not underestimating Sudan, especially with Appiah now at the helm of the Nile Crocodiles.

With pressure on him for a turnaround, Otto Addo’s defiant tone suggested that his team is ready to deliver. “We are very much aware of their ability and strength, but we have to put everything aside and just give our all,” he insisted.

Appiah’s tenure has brought a remarkable transformation to the Nile Crocodiles, who are unbeaten in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign and holding their own in a group featuring African champions Senegal.

The North Africans have again performed admirably in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, trailing only Angola in the group standings. His extensive knowledge of Ghana’s style of play, coupled with his tactical acumen, poses a significant threat to the Black Stars.

The 63-year-old tactician also currently serves on the Ghana Football Association’s Executive Council (ExCo), making Thursday’s clash even more intriguing as Appiah will be striving to defeat the very team he helps to shape.

Yet for all the admiration and respect, Otto Addo remains unflinching in his approach.

“We have so much respect for Kwasi Appiah for what he has achieved, but we cannot afford to underrate Sudan,” he noted, aware that any slip-up could cost his side dearly. “Those days of underestimating certain teams in African football are over. This is 2024—everyone can play, and everyone can defend,” he said.

“We have so much respect for Kwasi Appiah and what he has done for the national team and Ghanaian football. But on Thursday, we must put all that aside and focus on the game because it’s about us and what we want to achieve.”

The Ghanaian coach will have to rely on the experienced core of his squad to navigate this tricky fixture. Key players such as Captain Thomas Partey, in-form Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo, veteran forward Jordan Ayew, and the ever-impressive West Ham United playmaker Mohammed Kudus who opened his English Premiership account last Saturday and will be expected to lead the charge.

Also back in the squad is promising Olympique Lyon forward Ernest Nuamah, who missed the last round of matches through injury.

Tactically, Otto Addo has hinted at a few changes, particularly in attack, as he looks to find the right balance with options like Semenyo and Inaki Williams who have been impressive in their respective clubs this season.

As for Coach Appiah, this match is not just about tactics and points; it is also an emotional homecoming. He led Ghana to the pinnacle of international football in 2014 and knows the inner workings of the Black Stars like no other.

For all the respect and camaraderie between the two Ghanaian coaches, there will be no love lost on the touchline when the first whistle blows.

Appiah’s tactical nous and inside knowledge could well be the deciding factor, giving the visitors a tactical edge against a Ghana side still searching for its rhythm.

However, history favours the Black Stars. In nine encounters since 2009, Ghana have emerged victorious seven times, scoring 18 goals while conceding just three.

Yet, Ghana’s coach pointed out, this is a different era—Sudan are no longer pushovers, and any lapse in concentration could see them capitalising on Ghanaian soil.

Thursday’s clash is more than just a qualifier; it’s a battle to reignite belief in the Ghanaian team that have often flattered to deceive.

A victory could restore confidence and breathe new life into Ghana’s AFCON campaign, while a slip-up might see Appiah’s Sudan side gain the upper hand, derailing the Black Stars’ journey to Morocco 2025.