AFCON: Sudan coach Appiah reflects on Senegal defeat

Sudan national team coach James Kwesi Appiah sounded a resigned tone after the Falcons fell 1-3 to Senegal in Saturday’s Round of 16 clash from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Tangier, Morocco. The Ghanaian tactician spoke further on the challenge of facing heavy favorites Senegal as well as Sudanese goal scorer Aamir Abdallah.

Giving his initial thoughts on the match, Appiah spoke about the massive task facing the Falcons and how he approached it tactically:

“I believe that this game is really important. All the players did the best that they can. I believe every Sudanese will be happy at the level of performance that their players put out today. It is just unfortunate that we lost. But Senegal is a team that has been together for some time now. Their level is not easy but at the same time, we did the best that we can.”

“The tactical play was to try and soak the pressure from Senegal and rely on counter-attacks and that is exactly how come we were able to get the first goal.”

Sudan took an early lead through Abdallah’s excellent 6th minute goal to take a shock lead. Currently playing in the semi-professional ranks of Australian club football with Avondale FC, the 26-year-old scored his first international goal on Saturday to leave a strong impression.

A moment of quality from Aamir Abdallah. 🇸🇩#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | #WePlayDifferent pic.twitter.com/s1rneMIEvm

— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 3, 2026

“Aamir is one of the players who came to the national team recently. I think he plays in Australia and we had to do some documents for him to be able to play for the national team and that was done, I think, two weeks before this tournament and he’s been doing well. He normally plays behind the striker and that is the little I can tell you.”

Appiah, who expressed his admiration for the strength of the Senegalese team throughout the press conference, closed up his comments by speaking about the Lions of Teranga’s chances at the tournament and why their style of play is so effective.

“I think Senegal is one of the favorites of this tournament. Any team that has been together for some time, it becomes easier. Because anytime one (player) has the ball, the other knows how he plays and how he moves and it becomes easy for them to interact. But I know that they have a good team and that they can go far…they have a really good team.”