Ghana's Black Stars head coach, Carlos Queiroz, has spoken out about Mohammed Kudus' decision to withdraw from the national team's squad ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. Kudus, a Tottenham Hotspur attacker, was initially named in the squad but stepped down after featuring for his club against Aston Villa in the Premier League. Queiroz disclosed that early conversations with Kudus had been encouraging before the situation changed.
According to Queiroz, the decision to withdraw Kudus from the squad was influenced by his physical condition following the club appearance. The Portuguese tactician noted that national team coaches have limited authority over what happens at club level, adding complexity to managing player availability. Queiroz emphasized that he and his team operate with the information available at the time, making decisions based on that.
Queiroz revealed that his conversations with Kudus had initially pointed towards a positive outcome, but that changed once the forward had played a significant portion of the Tottenham match. After playing 70-something minutes for Tottenham, Queiroz had a conversation with Kudus and decided it would be best for him to rest and recover properly.
As a result of his withdrawal, Kudus will be absent for Ghana's first two fixtures in the AFCON 2027 qualifying series against Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia. These matches are critical early matches in Ghana's campaign to reach the continental tournament. The absence of one of Ghana's most prominent attacking talents is a notable blow for Queiroz as he looks to build momentum in qualification.
Mohammed Fuseini, a Derby County forward, has received a late call-up to the Black Stars squad for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. The 22-year-old was added after Mohammed Kudus withdrew from the squad. This move is seen as a replacement for Kudus, who is a key player for Ghana.
Queiroz's comments on Kudus' withdrawal highlight the challenges national team coaches face in managing player availability, particularly when it comes to players competing at the club level. The coach must make decisions based on the information available, taking into account the player's physical condition and readiness for international duty.
Ghana will face Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers, and the team will have to navigate these critical matches without Kudus. The Black Stars' performance in these matches will be crucial in determining their chances of reaching the continental tournament.
Key points
- Mohammed Kudus withdrew from Ghana's AFCON 2027 qualifying squad due to his physical condition after playing for Tottenham Hotspur.
- Carlos Queiroz cited limited authority over club-level decisions as a challenge in managing player availability.
- Mohammed Fuseini has been called up to replace Kudus in the Black Stars squad for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
