Sudan Coach Kwesi Appiah: ‘We Respect Nigeria, But We Don’t Fear Them’

Sudan head coach Kwesi Appiah has made it clear — his team will face Nigeria in their next 2024 African Nations Championship clash with confidence, not intimidation.

The Falcons opened their campaign with a frustrating 1-1 draw against Congo Brazzaville, conceding a late equaliser that cost them maximum points. Now, they must take on a wounded Nigerian side still smarting from a 1-0 loss to defending champions Senegal in their first match.

Both sides have everything to play for. A win could breathe life into their quarter-final hopes, while a loss could leave them hanging by a thread.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Appiah acknowledged the pedigree of the Super Eagles but refused to let history dictate his team’s mentality.

“Nigeria is one of the biggest nations in African football and we respect them, but we won’t fear them,” he said confidently.

Opinion:
Appiah’s statement might sound like typical pre-match bravado, but it speaks to something deeper in football — belief can be just as important as skill. On paper, Nigeria has the edge with experience, individual quality, and a proud history in African football. But tournaments have a way of rewarding teams who play without fear, who see reputations as challenges rather than barriers.

If Sudan channels the same grit they showed against Congo — but with sharper finishing — they could cause an upset. Nigeria, on the other hand, will need to shake off the Senegal defeat quickly and show the hunger of a team that wants to prove its critics wrong.

One thing’s certain: this won’t just be a game of tactics; it will be a test of nerves, pride, and who truly wants that quarter-final ticket more.