Sudanese players have been told to feel like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo by Kwesi Appiah

The conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces militia has forced more than 11 million people from their homes.

Aid workers say it has created the worst humanitarian crisis in the world – and Appiah had to watch some of his own players suffer personal tragedies.

“I know how loving the Sudanese people are. Four players lost their close families while in the camp,” he said.

“It’s a sad situation, but they’re trying to cope. All the players console them and encourage them. It’s not easy.

“We deal with all these traumas, but you try to cope.”

Needing just one point from their last two qualifiers to reach next year’s Afcon finals, Sudan faced Niger in their penultimate match, only to lose 4-0.

“This is actually a situation that we never expected,” Appiah said.

“Whenever situations like that happen, all you have to do is put the game behind you.

“I never talk about it because it’s in the past. You learn from it, and then you move on.”

Appiah’s men made no mistake in Benghazi at the final hurdle, holding group winners Angola to a 0-0 draw and achieving what many think is an impossible feat.

“After the qualification we went to the Sudanese embassy, ​​and the ambassador said ‘Everyone (in Sudan) lowered their guns, and they were all celebrating in the streets’, which is not normal because once you get to the streets, you’re looking around (to see) if the gun is coming,” Appiah said.

“That’s something I always tell the players before any game.

“Look at your relatives, those at home, what they’re going through, and let’s put some smiles on their faces.

“Football is one of the keys that can open such wars.”