Sudan head coach Kwasi Appiah hopes his team qualifies for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside his native Ghana.

Thursday's draw in Johannesburg, South Africa, placed Sudan and the Black Stars in Group E. This means the former Ghana coach will return to his home country to face the Black Stars.

Following the draw, Appiah expressed his optimism, stating that he hopes to see both nations secure qualification for the 2025 AFCON, set to be hosted in Morocco.

“I’ve always said there [are] no minnows in football now,” he told 3 Sports.

“It is really important that any team you meet, you prepare very well and make sure you have the right team to try and win the day.

“Personally, I also think and hope Ghana and Sudan qualify in that group. For now, I think that is what I can say and I wish both teams the best,” he added.

Kwasi Appiah coached the Black Stars in two separate stints, first from 2012 to 2014 and then again from 2017 to 2019.

His Sudan team is currently tops of their 2026 World Cup qualifying Group B with 10 points, two ahead of Senegal.