“Ghana’s Kwesi Appiah Inspires War-Hit Sudan to Historic CHAN Semi-Final Triumph”

Appiah’s Masterclass: Sudan Reach CHAN Semi-Finals Against All Odds

By Emmanuel Austin Baah Last updated Aug 23, 2025

Ghanaian coach James Kwesi Appiah has steered Sudan to a remarkable semi-final berth at the African Nations Championship (CHAN), after edging past Algeria 4-2 on penalties following a tense 1-1 draw.

What makes this feat truly extraordinary is that Sudan have not had an active domestic league since 2023 due to the ongoing conflict in the country. Despite this, Appiah has inspired his side to defy the odds—beating Nigeria earlier in the competition before stunning Algeria to book their place in the last four.

The achievement is a testament not only to Appiah’s tactical acumen and vast experience but also to the resilience and fighting spirit of his squad.

Sudan’s journey under Appiah has been nothing short of remarkable:

The team was assembled only days before the tournament.

They trained just three times ahead of kick-off.

Against all expectations, they overcame Algeria to seal a semi-final spot at #CHAN2024.

Appiah’s transformation of Sudan continues to capture the imagination of football fans across the continent.

Author

Emmanuel Austin Baah

My name is Emmanuel Austin Baah, professionally known as “Okocha”. I am a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and football commentator from Senya Bereku in the Central Region. My work reflects a strong commitment to factual reporting, ethical journalism and the continuous promotion of Ghanaian sports.

I am currently pursuing my studies at Cape Coast Technical University, building on a solid foundation of media practice and communication. I previously served as a sports producer at Radio Gold (90.5) and Montie FM (100.1) in Accra, where I was actively involved in editorial planning, programme production, live commentary and in-depth sports analysis.

Presently, I am a Senior Writer at SportsNetGhana.com, a role in which I produce well-researched features, match reports, athlete profiles and analytical pieces. My work consistently highlights emerging talents, captures key sporting developments and contributes to shaping informed sports discourse in Ghana.

Over the course of my career, I have covered numerous major sporting events both locally and internationally. Among these, the highlight remains my coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a significant milestone that strengthened my expertise in global football reporting and enhanced my understanding of international sports dynamics.

I am widely recognised for my clarity of analysis, engaging commentary style and strong command of both local and global football trends. Beyond the newsroom, I participate in community initiatives aimed at developing young sports journalists and promoting youth engagement in sports.

For professional engagements, media collaborations or enquiries, please contact me on 0265284330.

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