Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mohammed Kudus has reportedly withdrawn from Ghana’s squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia.
Kudus was initially included in the 24-man squad announced by Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz after returning from a lengthy injury lay-off.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) confirmed that Kudus had recovered from the injury that kept him sidelined for about seven months and included him among the players returning to the national team.
However, reports on September 20 indicate that the 26-year-old has now opted out of the upcoming international assignments.
According to 3Sports, Kudus wants to focus on completing his recovery at Tottenham and regaining his best physical condition before returning to international football. The decision has reportedly been communicated to both the GFA and Queiroz.
Kudus recently returned to competitive football after spending several months on the sidelines because of a significant injury. His return to club action came shortly before the latest international break.
The midfielder made his return to Premier League action for Tottenham against Aston Villa after coming on at half-time. He also contributed an assist during the match, providing an attacking opportunity for Conor Gallagher.
His return to the national team had initially been viewed as an important development for Ghana after he missed the 2026 FIFA World Cup because of injury.
Kudus last represented Ghana in October 2025, when he scored the winning goal in the Black Stars’ 1-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Comoros in Accra.
The latest decision means his anticipated return to the Black Stars will be delayed as he continues his rehabilitation and works towards full match fitness.
Ghana are scheduled to begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign against Côte d’Ivoire on September 24 before hosting The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 29. The Black Stars will subsequently travel to Morocco for an international friendly against the Atlas Lions on October 4.
Kudus’ withdrawal will therefore leave Queiroz without one of Ghana’s key attacking players for the opening AFCON qualifying matches.
The GFA had included several returning players in the squad as Ghana prepared for the new qualifying campaign, with Kudus initially leading the list of returnees.
The midfielder is expected to remain focused on his recovery at club level before considering a return to international duty.
Source: Thepressradio.com
