Mohammed Kudus, the Tottenham forward, has withdrawn from Ghana's squad for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia. This decision comes as he continues his recovery from a seven-month injury lay-off. Kudus was included in Carlos Queiroz's 24-man squad but will not join the team due to his ongoing rehabilitation.
According to reports from 3Sports, Kudus opted out of the upcoming international assignments to focus on regaining full fitness. His absence will be a setback for Queiroz, who had counted on him as one of the returning players for Ghana's new competitive cycle following the 2026 World Cup. Kudus' last appearance for the Black Stars was on October 12, 2025, when he scored the winning goal in Ghana's 1-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Comoros.
Kudus has made several appearances for Tottenham this season, including a substitute appearance against Newcastle United on August 29 and a start in the Carabao Cup against Liverpool. Most recently, he came on at half-time in Tottenham's 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday, setting up Conor Gallagher for Spurs' first Premier League goal of the season. His progress in recovery is crucial for both Tottenham and the Black Stars.
Ghana will face Côte d'Ivoire on September 24 in their opening 2027 AFCON qualifier, followed by a match against The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 29. The Black Stars will then travel to Morocco for a friendly against the Atlas Lions on October 4. These matches are crucial for Ghana's preparation and qualification for the 2027 AFCON.
Kudus' withdrawal is a significant blow to Ghana's chances in the upcoming qualifiers. His experience and skills will be missed, especially against strong opponents like Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia. Carlos Queiroz will have to rely on other players to fill the gap left by Kudus' absence.
The 26-year-old Kudus has been working hard to regain his best physical condition after a quad injury forced him to miss Ghana's 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. His recovery progress has been positive, with several appearances for Tottenham this season. However, his priority remains regaining full fitness before rejoining the Black Stars.
The Ghana Football Association has not officially commented on Kudus' withdrawal, but it is understood that the player's decision was made in consultation with the coaching staff and medical team. The focus now shifts to the upcoming matches, where Ghana will aim to secure qualification for the 2027 AFCON.
Key points
- Mohammed Kudus withdraws from Ghana's AFCON qualifiers due to ongoing recovery.
- Kudus' absence will be a setback for Ghana's chances in the qualifiers.
- Ghana faces Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia in the upcoming AFCON qualifiers.
