The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has revealed the nominees for the 2024 CAF Awards.

Ghanaian international coach James Kwesi Appiah, simply called Kwesi Appiah, has been nominated to win the Coach of the Year award in the category of men.

Currently leading the senior men's national football team of Sudan, the Falcons of Jedaine, Kwesi Appiah formerly led the Black Stars of Ghana. 

Kwesi Appiah began managing the Falcons in September 2023. Under his leadership, the team has recorded 9 wins, five draws and four defeats in 18 games.

On Tuesday, October 15, 2024, when he faced the Black Stars and beat them 2:0, he became the first Ghanaian to lead another team against the Black Stars and chalk success.

"He brings a lot of experience and he’s changed our mentality into thinking we could beat anyone," Striker Abobaker Eisa said, speaking to BBC Sport Newsday.

"I think that’s the biggest difference that you’re seeing here with the Sudanese team. Everyone knows that he’s a legend in his country and what he’s done for his country. But he’s told us he believes that we could do something big together. We’re going step by step but it is coming to fruition now.”

Despite Sudan's current political turmoil, Kwesi Appiah is proving instrumental in giving Sudan nationals an alternative preoccupation.

According to Eisa, "With the things that are going on in Sudan right now, the civil war, we’re playing a much bigger game. People are in the streets to watch the games, and this is giving them a lot of joy amongst the chaos that’s been going on. It makes them feel proud." 

With one loss and two wins, the Falcons have earned seven points in the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The Falcons, also, lead their World Cup 2026 qualifiers group consisting Senegal, DR Congo and Togo. If they successfully enter the worldwide games, Kwesi Appiah would have achieved legendary status in the African country of the North East.

See Appiah's 9 contenders below:

The 2024 CAF Awards will take place in Marrakesh, Morroco, on Monday, December 16.