Ghana and West Ham star Mohammed Kudus is likely to play a lesser or no role at all in the Ghana versus Egypt match in Group B on Thursday. The West Ham United midfielder was omitted from the squad that played the opening match due to injury. He reported late to camp after he was delayed by the Premier League club due to an injury scare.
Black Stars coach Chris Hughton opened up about the former Ajax star’s predicament as Ghana seeks to revive her ailing campaign. Despite the need for the kind of creativity and goal threat that Mohammed Kudus brings to the team, Hughton said he would not be risked.
“We will continue to assess Mohammed Kudus. He has trained the last few days. We will assess him today and tomorrow and make a decision tomorrow,” adding, “We have to make sure he’s right. We can’t afford to take any risks.”
Ghana started its AFCON 2023 campaign badly after suffering an injury-time defeat to the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde. Alexander Djiku pulled Ghana level in the second half after their West African neighbours took the lead early in the first half through Jamiro Monteiro. And with minutes of injury time to play, a lapse in concentration and poor defending gifted the Island nation a golden opportunity which Garry Rodrigues converted.
A crucial game awaits the team on Thursday evening, the outcome of which will largely determine the Black Stars’ chances of progressing to the next round. Ghana will then take on Mozambique four days later to round off the group stage. The presence of Mohammed Kudus who has scored 10 goals for West Ham this season will be a welcome boost to Chris Hughton and his charges.
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