Kwesi Appiah's Sudan Handed Tough draw at AFCON 2025

Kwesi Appiah's Sudan Handed Tough draw at AFCON 2025

  • Kwesi Appiah, who is now in charge of Sudan, will have to contend with Algeria, Equatorial Guinea and Burkina Faso in Group E at the 2025 AFCON
  • The tournament which will be held in Morocco will see defending champions Ivory Coast lock horns against Cameroon in Group F
  • Ghana failed to qualify for the AFCON for the first time since 2004 after failing to win any of their five Group F games

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The draw for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 is complete, placing coach James Kwesi Appiah’s Sudan in Group E alongside 2019 champions Algeria in Morocco.

Appiah, a celebrated Ghanaian football legend, has once again made his mark on African football by steering the war-torn nation to AFCON qualification, notably at the expense of his home country, Ghana.

Kwesi Appiah's Sudan handed tough draw at AFCON 2025
Kwesi Appiah's Sudan will have to contend with Algeria, Equatorial Guinea and Burkina Faso in Group E at the 2025 AFCON. Photos: @cafonline.
Source: Getty Images

Despite the challenges posed by a devastating civil war that forced Sudan to play all their qualifiers away from home, Appiah's exceptional leadership and tactical acumen have galvanized a team and a nation, offering a beacon of hope in the face of adversity.

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Sudan handed tricky draw

And the East African country has been handed a tricky draw, as they will have to contend with Algeria, Equatorial Guinea and Burkina Faso in Group E.

Other AFCON groups

The draw for the 2025/26 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations has taken place, with hosts Morocco facing Mali, Zambia and Comoros in Group A.

Seven-time champions Egypt, who will likely be led by Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, will play South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe in Group B.

In Group C, Nigeria will start their campaign to win a first Afcon title since 2013 by taking on Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania.

Senegal won a memorable first title in 2021 and the the Teranga Lions will play DR Congo, Benin and Botswana, with the Zebras making their just their second Africa Cup of Nations appearance.

In Group E, Algeria will play Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea and Sudan, while Group F will stage a mouth-watering clash between rivals Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon, as well as Gabon and Mozambique.

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What will be the first game of AFCON 2025?

Cote d’Ivoire are the defending champions and the tournament will begin on 21 December with Morocco opening against Comoros.

The final will be held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on 18 January 2026.

Full AFCON 2025 group stage draw

Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros

Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe

Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania

Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana

Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan

Group: F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique

How AFCON 2025 draw was conducted

The 24 qualified teams were assigned to four pots before being put into six groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each team and four third-best losers will qualify for the Round of 16.

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Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Isaac Darko avatar

Isaac Darko (Sports Editor) Isaac Darko is a Sports Editor at Yen, boasting over 10 years of experience in the media industry. He has produced award-winning TV shows such as "Football 360" and "Sports XTRA" on ViaSat 1/Kwese TV. Isaac began his career as an Assistant Producer at TV3 Ghana Limited (Media General) and also contributed as a Writer and Weekend Editor for Pulse Ghana. He earned his bachelor's degree in Communication Studies from the Ghana Institute of Journalism (now University of Media, Arts and Communication). Email: isaac.darko@sportsbrief.com.