Keypoints:
- Sudan’s CHAN run ends in 1–0 loss to Madagascar
- Kwasi Appiah turned crisis-hit squad into semi-finalists
- Team’s story inspires hope despite ongoing civil war
GHANAIAN football legend James Kwasi Appiah has experienced triumphs and heartbreaks across decades in African football. But few episodes have been as moving as his current chapter in Sudan, where he has led the Falcons of Jediane to rare glory against the backdrop of civil war. On Tuesday night, his side’s dream of reaching the CHAN Pamoja 2024 final ended in a 1–0 extra-time defeat to Madagascar in Dar es Salaam.
A dream stopped short
In front of a charged crowd at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium, Sudan fought bravely but were undone in the 116th minute. Substitute Toky Rakotondraibe latched onto a clever through-ball and slid it past Mohamed Abooja to send Madagascar into their first-ever CHAN final.
For Sudan, the late strike was cruel. They had created more chances across 90 minutes but lacked composure in the final third. Walieldin Khdir and Mubark Abdalla spurned openings, while Madagascar’s goalkeeper Michel Ramandimbisoa made decisive saves.
Appiah’s improbable journey
Appiah, 64, took charge of Sudan’s CHAN side under the most testing of circumstances. Since war broke out in April 2023, the country’s domestic league has been shut down. More than 12 million people have been displaced, with footballers scattered across Libya, Mauritania and South Sudan in search of game time.
Despite such turmoil, Appiah assembled his CHAN squad just days before the tournament, holding only three training sessions. Yet he guided them past Algeria on penalties and into the semi-finals, giving a war-torn nation an emotional release.
‘Once you are in a tournament, you must aim for the trophy,’ Appiah told CAF. ‘I don’t believe in participating just to add numbers.’
Football amid war
Sudanese football has long been defined by fierce local rivalries between Al Hilal and Al Merrikh. But under Appiah, supporters found rare unity. During qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, his side stunned his homeland Ghana to book their place at the finals – Ghana’s first absence in two decades.
‘As a Ghanaian, of course, I was sad,’ Appiah admitted. ‘But once you are a professional, you look at where you are working. My responsibility is Sudan.’
For many of his players, football has doubled as therapy. Several have lost relatives in the conflict; others are separated from families in refugee camps. ‘Most of the time, we receive messages that one of the boys has lost a relative,’ Appiah said. ‘But I always remind them: you are the ones who can bring smiles to your people.’
Lessons from history
Appiah’s ability to draw hope from adversity is grounded in his own history. As a player, he was part of Ghana’s 1982 AFCON-winning squad. As coach, he became the first Black African to lead Ghana at a World Cup in 2014 and had been on the bench in 2010 when the Black Stars reached the quarter-finals – Africa’s best finish at the time.
In Sudan, he has once more written himself into African football folklore. Beyond CHAN, the Falcons of Jediane are also alive in 2026 World Cup qualifying, trailing only Senegal and DR Congo in their group.
Madagascar’s historic moment
While Sudan mourned, Madagascar celebrated. Their semi-final triumph sparked scenes of joy among travelling supporters. Coach Romuald Rakotondrabe hailed his players’ perseverance: ‘Our strength lies in believing together until the very last minute. This victory belongs to Madagascar.’
They now advance to Saturday’s final in Nairobi against either defending champions Senegal or two-time winners Morocco. Sudan, meanwhile, will contest Friday’s third-place play-off in Dar es Salaam.
Appiah’s enduring legacy
Even in defeat, Appiah’s stock has grown. He transformed a team assembled amid chaos into semi-finalists on the continental stage. For Sudanese fans at home and in exile, his work has offered a brief but powerful reminder that sport can transcend tragedy.
As Appiah reflected after the loss, his words carried weight far beyond football: ‘When we play, sometimes the guns go silent for a week or two. That is what this team has given our people.’
Sudan may have fallen short of the CHAN final, but under Appiah they have carved out something rarer: hope in a time of despair.
