The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has formally requested that Kwesi Appiah resign from one of his positions prior to the Ghana vs. Sudan match.
Appiah is currently the head coach of the Sudan national team and also serves as a member of the Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
His dual roles have faced criticism from some football fans, with calls for him to give up one of the positions.
Ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, CAF has instructed Appiah to step down from one of his roles to avoid any potential conflict of interest.
In the statement released, it emphasized this need for clarity before the match.
Meanwhile, the first leg of the qualifiers will take place at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday, October 10, with the return leg scheduled for October 14 at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Libya.
In a dramatic turn of events, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has directed Kwasi Appiah, head coach of Sudan’s national team, to step down as an executive member of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
The order comes amid concerns over Appiah’s dual roles and potential conflicts of interest.
Kwasi Appiah, a former Ghanaian international and coach of the Black Stars, was elected to the GFA executive committee in 2022, representing his former club, Asante Kotoko.
However, his subsequent appointment as head coach of Sudan’s national team in early 2023 raised eyebrows, sparking debates about his commitment to both roles.
Despite public opposition, Kwasi Appiah initially refused to relinquish his executive committee position, citing no conflict of interest. However, CAF’s intervention has left him with no choice but to resign.
In a letter dated October 1, 2024, CAF instructed Appiah to resign from the GFA executive committee by October 8, 2024. The directive cites potential conflicts of interest and the need for coaches to focus exclusively on their national team duties.
The development has sent shockwaves through Ghanaian football circles, with many welcoming CAF’s decision.
“This is a victory for good governance and transparency in football,” said a GFA official, who wished to remain anonymous.
Appiah’s resignation is expected to pave the way for fresh election to fill the vacant executive committee position. Asante Kotoko, Appiah’s former club, will likely nominate a new representative.
CAF’s directive sets a precedent for coaches and administrators holding dual roles across Africa. The decision underscores the need for separation of powers and avoidance of conflicts of interest in football governance.
