Mohammed Kudus has withdrawn from Ghana's upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia. The 26-year-old was named in Carlos Queiroz's 24-man Black Stars squad but has opted out to focus on his recovery at Tottenham Hotspur. Kudus aims to regain his best physical condition and form before returning to international action. His decision has been communicated to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and coach Carlos Queiroz.
Kudus recently returned to Premier League football after a lengthy injury lay-off. He came off the bench in Tottenham's 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday and provided an attacking spark, setting up Conor Gallagher for Tottenham's first Premier League goal of the season. This appearance followed his first start since January in Tottenham's Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool earlier in the week. Kudus had been sidelined for seven months due to a significant quad injury suffered in January.
The Ghanaian had been included in Queiroz's latest squad after confirming that he had recovered and returned to competitive football. His 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 in Accra. Kudus missed Ghana's 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign due to the injury. The GFA had confirmed his recovery and inclusion in the squad.
Ghana is scheduled to face Côte d'Ivoire in Bouaké on September 24 before hosting The Gambia on September 29. The Black Stars will then face Morocco in an international friendly on October 4. Kudus' decision means his long-awaited Black Stars return will be delayed as he continues his rehabilitation and recovery with Tottenham. This development may impact the team's preparations for the upcoming qualifiers.
The decision to withdraw Kudus from the squad may have implications for the team's strategy and lineup. Coach Carlos Queiroz will need to adjust his plans and consider alternative players for the upcoming matches. The GFA has not publicly commented on the matter, but it is understood that they have been informed of Kudus' decision.
Kudus' withdrawal is a significant blow to the Black Stars, as he is a key player for the team. His experience and skills will be missed in the upcoming qualifiers. However, the team has other talented players who can step up and fill the gap. The Black Stars will need to regroup and focus on their upcoming matches against Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia.
The Black Stars' coach, Carlos Queiroz, will need to assess the team's readiness for the upcoming qualifiers. He will have to make adjustments to the team's lineup and strategy in light of Kudus' withdrawal. The team's performance in the qualifiers will be crucial in determining their chances of advancing to the next stage of the competition.
Key points
- Mohammed Kudus has withdrawn from Ghana's AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia to focus on his recovery at Tottenham Hotspur.
