The Black Stars of Ghana will face Sudan, Angola, and Niger in Group F of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be held in Morocco.

Thursday’s draw threw up many interesting sub-plots for Ghana, who will face former national team coach and current Sudan boss, Kwasi Appiah.

The former Ghana captain has led the Black Stars to two AFCON championships; a fourth-place finish in 2013 and a round-of-16 exit in 2019.

Kwasi Appiah reunion.

Appiah, assisted by former Ghana Under-17 assistant coach Ignatius Osei-Fosu, has led Sudan to the top of Group B in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Since they arrived in late 2023, the Ghanaian pair have led Sudan to three wins and a draw, scoring seven goals and conceding just once in four games.

That run includes an impressive 1-0 win over D.R Congo in only their second game in charge.

Although Sudan has qualified for the AFCON on eight occasions, they have not made it to the last six editions of the biennial football tournament.

In the previous meeting in AFCON qualifiers, Sudan secured a 1-0 win over Ghana in November 2020. That result ensured Sudan qualified for AFCON 2021 ahead of South Africa, who finished third with 10 points.

Five days before, a brace of goals by Andre Ayew helped Ghana to a 2-0 win over the same opponent at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

Andre Ayew’s influence in the team has since waned.

In the 2021 AFCON, he got sent off as Ghana suffered a shock 3-2 loss to Comoros in Cameroon. In December 2022, he missed a penalty as Uruguay beat Ghana 2-0 in Ghana’s final group game at the 2022 World Cup.

His ill-fated campaign in Cote d’Ivoire was perhaps proof that Ayew’s magic no longer works for Ghana.

If anything at all, it has served Ghana’s opponents quite well in consecutive tournaments.

These days, the match-winning responsibility has been assumed by his brother Jordan – who has scored eight goals in eight appearances for Ghana in 2024, and West Ham forward Mohammed Kudus.

Ghana’s armory also features Sporting Lisbon – and soon-to-be Leicester City winger, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku. His mix of explosiveness, dribbling ability, a wonderful left foot, and a constantly improving end product makes him one to watch.

Conflict of interest?

It remains to be seen if the Sudanese Football Association, the Ghana Football Association or any third party, will raise concerns about Kwasi Appiah's split loyalties.

Beyond his obvious nationality, Appiah is currently a member of the GFA's Executive Council.

During his swearing in, the former Black Stars coach, like all members, swore an oath to prioritise the development of Ghana football, which, it goes without saying, includes the Black Stars.

The Executive Council, per convention, also approves the Black Stars programme for all matches. Will Appiah be allowed into these meetings considering he is employed by a direct competitor?

At the moment, no known CAF regulation bars him from occupying the two roles, but the case for a conflict of interest cannot be denied.

Angola.

While Sudan will be emotional, Angola will offer a different kind of problem.

Having missed the previous tournament, the Southern Africans returned to AFCON 2023 in grand style. They won group D with seven points, ahead of Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and former champions Algeria.

They beat Namibia 3-0 in the round of 16 before succumbing to eventual finalists, Nigeria in the quarter-final.

In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Angola is fourth placed with six points, two behind Group D leaders Cameroon.

Star man.

Every national team has that player who personifies its ethos. For Angola, Zito Luvumbo is that guy.

The Cagliari forward began his international career with Angola’s U15s, winning the COSAFA U17 Championship in 2018 before going on to inspire his nation to a third place at the AFCON U17 the following year, earning Angola an inaugural appearance at the FIFA U17 World Cup.

Luvumbo’s cultured left foot makes him a credible threat for both club and country.

He has a good mix of technique and firepower when shooting. His four goals in the Serie A last season proved that he can score goals beyond creating them for others.

Niger.

Niger has only qualified for the AFCON twice in their history. Remember them against Ghana in South Africa 2013?

Yes. They are here again. Not in the main competition, but in a contest for a ticket to that very tournament they met 11 years ago.

In a bid to restore pride, Niger has turned to Moroccan goalkeeping legend Badou Zaki on a two-year deal as head coach. Zaki notably led Morocco to the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations final in what remains the highest point of his coaching career.

Having recently coached the Sudan national team, his intimate knowledge of the Group F opponents will be priceless.

If Badou is to secure a third AFCON appearance, Victorien Adebayor, the country’s all-time top scorer will be key. Having played for Inter Allies and Legon Cities in Ghana’s Premier League, Adebayor is no stranger to Ghana.

Another player to keep an eye on is Sheriff Tiraspol’s Moumouni Amadou Darankoum. The defensive midfielder has developed into a tidy passer of the ball and a clean tackler.

In previous meetings with Ghana, Niger has lost all official matches in eight attempts. In terms of AFCON Qualifiers, Ghana has won all four games, scoring a mammoth 21 goals while conceding just two.