AFCON: Sudan coach Kwesi Appiah concedes Burkina Faso defeat

Sudan national team coach Kwesi Appiah admitted Burkina Faso were the better side in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) fixture insisting they deserved to win the final group fixture at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca on Wednesday.

The Stallions bounced back from their defeat to Algeria by producing a controlled 2-0 victory over Sudan to confirm second place in Group E. Goals from Lassina Traoré and Arsène Kouassi ensured the Stallions finished the group stage with six points, three behind group winners.

Algeria, while Sudan progressed despite defeat, their earlier results already enough to secure a Round of 16 berth. With the game tied at 1-0, Sudan were presented with an opportunity to draw level from the penalty spot after goalkeeper Hervé Koffi fouled the advancing Al-Jezoli Nouh. However, Al-Jezoli Nouh missed his effort.

Burkina Faso deserved their victory

Speaking after the game, the Ghanaian legend told the media as quoted by CAFOnline.com: “It was a difficult match against Burkina Faso and our opponent deserved their victory. As I said before the match, we were going to face a tough team, most of whose players play for big clubs.

“When you play against such teams, you realize how difficult the task is. The players tried to give their best, but this is football and you can never be certain of anything. I learned many lessons from this match, which will help me prepare for the upcoming games.”

The two nations were just meeting in their second competitive meeting, and their first clash at the AFCON finals since 2012. Sudan coach Kwesi Appiah had previously faced Burkina Faso at the AFCON while in charge of Ghana.

Burkina Faso will now face Ivory Coast in the Round of 16 while Sudan will come up against Senegal at Grand Stade de Tangier on Saturday.

AFCON Round of 16 fixtures;

Saturday, 3 January 2026
Senegal vs Sudan
17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT
Grand Stade de Tangier

Mali vs Tunisia
20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT
Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca

Sunday, 4 January 2026
Morocco vs Tanzania
17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT
Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat

South Africa vs Cameroon
20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT
Stade Al Medina, Rabat

Monday, 5 January 2026
Egypt vs Benin
17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT
Grand Stade de Agadir

Nigeria vs Mozambique
20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT
Complexe Sportif de Fès

Tuesday, 6 January 2026
Algeria vs DR Congo
17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT
Stade Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan, Rabat