It is arguably the two most important games for the Black Stars this year.

Ghana's Afcon 2025 qualification hangs by a thread after being at every tournament since 2004. A doubleheader against Kwesi Appiah could determine Ghana's fate.

The first leg will take place at the Accra Sports Stadium. It is the first time a competitive Black Stars game will take place in Accra since March 2021 when Ghana defeated Sao Tome and Principe 3-1.

Here’s a preview of the game by Betway.

Performances of both teams in qualifiers

The four-time AFCON winners have just one point from their first two qualifying games in Group F after undesirable performances in a 1-0 loss against Angola and a 1-1 draw with Niger in September.

Sudan on the other hand defeated Niger 1-0 in their opener and narrowly lost 2-1 to Angola in the second game.

The Black Stars are currently third in Group F whilst Sudan are second with three points.

Head-to-head

The two teams have faced off on 14 occasions in the past. The Black Stars have been largely dominant, winning 10 and losing three. However, Kwesi Appiah has a better win rate with Sudan than Otto Addo has with Ghana in his second coming. In 16 matches managed, Appiah has won eight (50%) whilst Otto Addo has won just two in six matches (33%).

The odds

Ghana are favourites to win it according to Betway with their odds priced at 1.25 whilst that of Sudan stands at 11.00.

What the coaches said

Otto Addo (Black Stars coach): “This is my job. We have different solutions how we could play and we as a staff discussed it and I chose one at the end and I’m very very sure it will work. We are not thinking too much about the players not here, it’s more about the players who are here, their qualities and how we can inspire them to perform,” he added.

Ignatius Osei Fosu (Sudan assistant coach): “Kwesi Appiah has nothing to prove. His coaching credentials are well-known. For me, nobody even knows I’m the assistant coach of Sudan. We just want to qualify, and that’s the aim. It’s unfortunate we have to face Ghana. I wish this match didn’t happen.”

Possible starting XI

Ghana: Ati Zigi, Tariq Lamptey, Mohammed Salisu, Abdul Mumin, Gideon Mensah, Majeed Ashimeru, Elisha Owusu, Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku

Sudan: Mustafa, Khamis, Mustafa Karshom, Kuku, Agab, Waliedlin Khidir, Alhassan, Yagoub Omer Taha, Thierry, Abdel Rahman, Eisa