Sudan head coach, James Kwasi Appiah, says guiding his side to play at the World Cup will be the turning point for the country's football development.

Sudan is two points above Senegal in the qualifiers for the 2006 FIFA World Cup after four rounds of matches played. They are unbeaten in games against Togo, DR Congo, Mauritania and South Sudan in that run.

Speaking to FIFA, the former Black Stars gaffer revealed what a World Cup qualification would mean to the people of Sudan.

"Reaching the World Cup would be a great springboard for the development of football in the country," he said.

"Administratively, it would make things much easier. It could also change the lives of my players. Currently, there are only two professionals in the squad. If we were to qualify for a World Cup, they could perform on the biggest stage and then tell themselves that they too were capable of playing in Europe.

"That’s something that would transform their mindset. You cannot imagine how much happiness a World Cup participation would bring to all of Sudan."

The World Cup qualifiers are on hold for the moment with the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers next line for Sudan.

They face Niger and Angola in the upcoming international break.