Ghana: Mohammed Kudus, the rising star of the Black Stars
Ghanaian Mohammed Kudus.
Action Images via Reuters - ED SYKES
Text by: David Kalfa Follow
3 mins
Ghana's squad are set to face Brazil and Nicaragua in preparation for the 2022 World Cup on September 23-27.
A World Cup during which the Ghanaians will challenge Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay.
So many opportunities for striker Mohammed Kudus, a new attraction for Ajax Amsterdam (Netherlands) and the Black Stars, to showcase himself.
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Even when Ajax Amsterdam loses, Mohammed Kudus scores and shines.
Witness his powerful strike against Liverpool (1-2) on September 13 in the Champions League or his recovery at close range against AZ Alkmaar (1-2) on September 18 in the Dutch Championship (Eredivisie).
At 22, the striker is making a great start to the 2022-2023 season with already 7 goals in 10 matches, in all competitions, since the Dutch Super Cup lost 5-3 to rivals PSV Eindhoven.
Not bad indeed for a player who mainly acted as a joker last season, under the direction of Erik ten Hag, who left to train for Manchester United.
The Ivorian striker Sébastien Haller having also left Ajax (for Borussia Dortmund), a place has become available at the forefront of the eleven now coached by Alfred Schreuder.
"In some ways, he reminds me of Abédi Pelé"
For the past few weeks, the native of Accra has taken the opportunity to showcase his scoring skills, his power, an excellent technique, and an amazing back-to-goal game for an attacking midfielder.
“
It's fascinating to watch him every time he receives the ball, under pressure from the opponent
, underlines his compatriot Anthony Baffoe, ex-Ghanaian international.
He adopts a bent position.
He does not lose his balance or the ball.
It's really extraordinary.
Technically, he is gifted.
In some ways, he reminds me of Abédi Pelé.
So I don't compare them.
Abédi was a world-class player.
But Kudus is on a very, very good path
.”
Europe, it gets to know the one who was trained at the Right to dream Academy (Accra) and who evolved from 2018 to 2020 in Nordsjælland (Denmark).
On September 7, after a very successful performance, Mohammed Kudus was elected man of the match against Glasgow Rangers in the Champions League.
A new line to an already full CV, the interested party being double champion of the Netherlands and winner of the national cup in 2021.
“Kudus should expect to see his face representing Ghana”
In Ghana, the rising star of Black Stars already occupies a good part of the conversations.
“
He never forgot his roots in Nima, in the suburbs of Accra
, recalls Anthony Baffoe.
During the Covid period, he sent a lot of food to his neighborhood when it was not easy to do.
He is very proud of his suburbs.
And we must not forget that he comes from one of the best academies in Africa and Europe: Right to dream.
As a footballer, he was very well trained there.
But also on another aspect developed by this academy: the human aspect
”.
His talent and his personality therefore already seem to be unanimous.
"
While no other Ghanaian player is operating at such a high level at a big club currently, Kudus should expect to see his face representing his country in World Cup previews and fixtures, alongside the captain André Ayew and Arsenal's Thomas Partey
,” said
Ghanaian columnist Gary Al-Smith
.
Injured at the start of the year, Mohammed Kudus is also "lucky" to have escaped the sinking of Ghana during the last African Cup of Nations.
An elimination in the 1st round of CAN 2021 which provoked the fury of the fans.
The talented offensive asset could therefore be a significant asset in the mission that the Ghana Federation (GFA) has set for the Black Stars.
The GFA has also made it its slogan: “Bring back the love”.
“Bringing love back to life” in the hearts of disappointed Ghanaian supporters… Next spotlight for Mohammed Kudus, September 23 in Le Havre (France) against Neymar's Brazil.
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