Mohammed Kudus, the 26-year-old Tottenham Hotspur attacker, has turned down his first call-up to the Ghana national team under new head coach Carlo Queiroz. Kudus is currently working his way back from a seven-month injury lay-off that kept him sidelined throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His rehabilitation is still ongoing, and he will not link up with the Black Stars during the current international break.
Kudus chose to remain at Tottenham Hotspur's training base in Enfield, England, as he continues to rebuild his fitness. The decision was confirmed by sources close to the player. Despite being included in Queiroz's first squad selection, Kudus will sit out Ghana's upcoming fixtures, including 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Ivory Coast and The Gambia, and a friendly against Morocco.
The Tottenham attacker is focusing on strengthening his quads, gradually building his physical condition, and reclaiming a starting berth in the Spurs first team. His cautious approach to fitness is crucial, given the recent recruitment activity at Tottenham, which has added competition on the right side of attack. Savio and Omar Marmoush have joined the club, increasing the urgency for Kudus to regain his sharpness.
Kudus' immediate priority is to secure his place in the starting XI at Tottenham. His rehabilitation progress has been steady, with recent appearances in Spurs' last four matches, including an EFL Cup fixture against Liverpool. However, pushing his comeback too aggressively could risk setbacks, and both Kudus and the club are wary of this.
Ghana's national team, the Black Stars, will face significant challenges in their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign without Kudus. The team is scheduled to play Ivory Coast, The Gambia, and Morocco during the current international break. Kudus' absence is a blow to the team, but Mohammed Fuseini, a 22-year-old Derby County forward, has received a late call-up to replace him.
Mohammed Fuseini's inclusion provides an opportunity for the young player to make his mark on the national team. Before declining the call-up, Kudus had provided an assist in Tottenham's 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League. His progress in the English top flight has been closely watched by Ghana fans, who had hoped for his participation in the upcoming qualifiers.
Kudus' decision to prioritize his rehabilitation highlights the challenges faced by athletes returning from long-term injuries. His situation serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between competitive readiness and injury prevention. As Kudus continues his measured return to full fitness at Spurs, Ghana will have to rely on other players to secure positive results in their upcoming fixtures.
Key points
- Mohammed Kudus turns down Ghana call-up due to ongoing rehabilitation from seven-month injury absence.
- Kudus aims to regain sharpness and secure his place in Tottenham's starting XI.
- Mohammed Fuseini replaces Kudus in the Black Stars squad for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
