Kwesi Appiah has temporarily stepped down from his position on the Ghana Football Association’s Executive Council to concentrate on his responsibilities as the head coach of Sudan. This decision comes as he prepares for the pivotal 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Reasons for Temporary Resignation
The former coach of the Black Stars announced his decision on Monday, stating that he would step aside from the influential Executive Council (ExCo) until November. Appiah’s resignation is due to a conflict of interest, as he was elected to the ExCo during last year’s Ghana FA elective congress. His dual roles with both the Ghana FA and Sudan’s national team posed potential complications, especially with Sudan set to face Ghana in critical qualifiers this month.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) addressed this issue in a letter to Kwesi Appiah, urging him to resolve the conflict. Signed by CAF’s Director of Legal Affairs, Felix Majani, the letter emphasized that Appiah’s simultaneous roles violated CAF Statutes and the FIFA Code of Ethics.
CAF’s Directive
In the letter, Majani stated, “I urge you to take immediate action to resolve this conflict of interest, including, at a minimum, temporarily stepping down from one of the two roles until the conclusion of the competition.”
Despite previous calls for Kwesi Appiah to resign after the qualifiers draw, he initially opted to remain in his position. However, CAF’s directive compelled him to make this difficult choice. Ghana is scheduled to face Sudan at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday, October 11, with the return leg in Libya on October 14.
Ghana finds itself in a precarious position, having yet to secure a win after two games. To enhance their chances of qualifying, they must win both matches. Meanwhile, Sudan sits in second place in the group with three points, trailing leaders Angola, who have amassed six points by defeating both Ghana and Sudan.
Kwesi Appiah’s decision underscores the complexities of managing dual responsibilities in international football. As the upcoming qualifiers approach, both teams will be keenly aware of the stakes involved.
Source: DEW360.NET
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