Tottenham Hotspur forward Mohammed Kudus has withdrawn from Ghana's squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The 26-year-old has opted to remain in England to complete his rehabilitation with his club, prioritising his long-term fitness after a seven-month injury layoff.

Kudus was named in coach Carlos Queiroz's initial 24-man selection for the key matches. The Ghana Football Association received formal notice of his decision, which was communicated directly to the national team management. His last appearance for the Black Stars was a memorable one, scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Comoros in October 2025.

Recovery takes priority

The attacker suffered a significant quad injury in January, which sidelined him for the entirety of Ghana's 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. He only recently returned to competitive action, making his first start since January in a Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool. Kudus then came on as a half-time substitute in Tottenham's 3-2 Premier League defeat to Aston Villa last Saturday, providing an assist for Conor Gallagher's 86th-minute goal. His recent form, with that assist being his only direct goal contribution in his last five club appearances, shows the need for a consistent run of fitness. Despite this return to the pitch, further specialist assessment was required in April after a setback, and the player and his club have decided a sustained period of focused recovery is needed. "The athlete intends to remain in England," said Nana Karikari. "He aims to complete his rehabilitation with Tottenham Hotspur."

Qualifying campaign context

Ghana's quest for AFCON qualification begins with a trip to face Ivory Coast in Bouaké on September 24, followed by a home fixture against The Gambia on September 29. The team then has an international friendly against Morocco scheduled for October 4. The Black Stars head into this period sitting third in their World Cup qualifying group with four points from three matches, having lost their last two games, including a 1-0 defeat to Colombia in July. Fans can view the full upcoming schedule on the fixtures page. Kudus's absence adds to the selection challenges for Queiroz, who is also without the sidelined Kamaldeen Sulemana and will need to rely on other attacking options from the squad. The decision highlights the ongoing balance elite players must strike between club commitments and national duty, especially after serious injuries. Ghana's next match is away to Ivory Coast this coming Wednesday.

Read the full report at GBC Ghana Online