Sudan head coach James Kwesi Appiah says his side will approach the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco without fear, insisting the Falcons of Jediane are targeting strong performances rather than mere participation.

As Sudan prepare for their 11th appearance at Africa’s premier football tournament, Appiah stressed that his team would compete with confidence despite being drawn in a challenging group.

“The goal is not just to participate but to fight for the trophy. I believe with the right mentality, we can achieve it. There’s no point in going to the competition if you don’t aim to win,” Appiah said.

Sudan return to the AFCON stage after their last appearance in Cameroon in 2022, where they exited the tournament at the group stage.

The former Black Stars coach says lessons from past campaigns have informed preparations ahead of the Morocco tournament, with emphasis placed on discipline, belief and mental strength.

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The Falcons of Jediane have been drawn into Group E alongside Algeria, Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea. While acknowledging the quality of the opposition, Appiah made it clear that his players will not be intimidated by reputations.

“We respect them, but we will not fear them. If you go into games thinking about names like Messi or Ronaldo, you lose the battle mentally before it begins,” he added.

Sudan will open their AFCON 2025 campaign against Algeria on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at the Moulay Hassan Stadium.

They will then face Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at the Stade Mohammed V, before concluding their group-stage matches against Burkina Faso on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at the same venue.



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