Former Black Starlets coach Laryea Kingston has leapt to the defence of Kwesi Appiah, stating that the dual role he holds in Ghana and Sudan will not affect his work.
Appiah is a member of the Ghana Football Association’s Executive Council, a key decision-making body for Ghana football, including the Black Stars. The 64-year-old is also the head coach of Sudan’s national team and is currently unbeaten in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers (3W 1D).
His roles have triggered some questions among the football circles, with former football Augustine Arhinful stating how problematic it is.
“I have always had an issue with this when he was appointed the head coach of Sudan. I said it severally, asking what would happen if Ghana is to meet Sudan in the qualifiers and it has happened now. I don’t know whether you can call it a conflict of interest or what. The moment he was appointed coach of Sudan, something should have been done by the FA,” Arhinful told 3Sports.
But Kingston is off the view that Appiah will remain professional in discharging his duties.
“With Kwesi Appiah’s pedigree, I don’t think because he’s Ghanaian and still have a position in Sudan, it will affect his professionalism at all. He’s been a football player and he has moved from team to team before and with him set to face Ghana in the AFCON qualifiers, I think he will go out and give his all,” Kingston said to 3Sports.
“I don’t think his professionalism will be questionable. When the game starts, he will think about his position [with Sudan] first, think about how to approach the game and his leadership skills. He is a professional and I don’t think that one is going to stop him from doing his job.”
Kwesi Appiah managed the Black Stars during the 2014 World Cup and 2019 AFCON. The AFCON qualifiers will begin in September and end in November 2024.
