Sudan is open to releasing its Ghanaian national team coach, Kwesi Appiah, to serve as a temporary coach for the Black Stars ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The national team is currently without a coach after the dismissal of former head coach Otto Addo, following a poor run that culminated in the Black Stars' abysmal loss in the last pre-World Cup friendlies against Austria and Germany. They ended with a 5-1 thrashing by Austria in Vienna and a 2-1 loss to Germany in Stuttgart.

While the search for Otto Addo’s replacement is still on, the Sudan Football Association (SFA), according to reports from Adom FM and Asempa FM Sports, is prepared to allow Kwesi Appiah to take charge of Ghana’s national team for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to exclusive reports, Sudan says it will be no hindrance to Kwesi Appiah’s temporary return to his home country to guide them to the World Cup, with barely two months remaining in the lead-up to the global tournament.

“Sudan are open to allowing Kwesi Appiah to coach the Black Stars at the World Cup,”@amoasi_ekow reveals an exclusive on the Black Stars coaching situation.#JoySports pic.twitter.com/pMyQHIpZpO”— #JoySports (@JoySportsGH) April 2, 2026

However, as part of the release conditions, the coach will be paid by the GFA while serving in Ghana and not the Sudan Football Association. With an agreement for him to resume his role as head coach of Sudan’s national team, the Falcons of Jediane, after the World Cup.

Meanwhile, the GFA is also said to be considering other high-profile candidates, including Pitso Mosimane of South Africa, Tom Saintfiet of Belgium, and Hervé Renard of France.

Kwesi Appiah's coaching timeline record

If Kwesi Appiah returns as Ghana’s temporary coach, it will mark his third (3rd) stint as the national team coach after his second stint in 2017. He served as head coach of the Black Stars from 2012 to 2014, becoming the first Ghanaian to lead the national team to a FIFA World Cup. He guided Ghana to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but the team exited at the group stage amid player disputes over bonuses. Following the tournament controversies, he was dismissed in September 2014.

Appiah was reappointed in April 2017 for a second stint, which lasted until 2019. During this period, he led Ghana to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt, where the team was eliminated in the Round of 16 by Tunisia. The performance drew criticism over his tactics and squad management, and his contract was not renewed in December 2019, bringing his second tenure to an end.

His record with Sudan, key achievements

Meanwhile, Kwesi Appiah’s record with Sudan has been surprisingly strong since taking charge in 2023. Kwesi Appiah managed Sudan from 2023 to 2026, overseeing a total of 28 matches, recording 9 wins, 9 draws, and 10 losses, with an overall win percentage of approximately 32 percent.

At the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), Appiah guided Sudan to the semi-finals, a notable achievement given that the country’s domestic football structure had been disrupted by civil conflict. His leadership was widely praised for building a resilient and competitive squad under difficult conditions.

In the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Sudan went unbeaten in their first four matches, recording two wins and two draws. The team also averaged three points per game in the opening rounds, highlighting a strong start to the campaign.

Meanwhile, preparations for the World Cup will intensify in the coming weeks, with the Black Stars scheduled to regroup in May. They will face Mexico in a preparatory fixture before concluding their warm-up campaign against Wales on June 2.

Ghana, making their fifth appearance at the global showpiece, have been drawn in Group L. They will open their campaign against Panama on June 17, before taking on England on June 23, and wrapping up their group stage matches against Croatia on June 27.

After suffering group-stage exits in both the 2014 and 2022 tournaments, the Black Stars will be aiming for a stronger showing at the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.