2021 Africa Cup of Nations: Counting on injured Mohammed Kudus to rescue Black Stars shocking – George Afriyie

Former Ghana Football Association [GFA] vice president, George Afriyie has said the decision to name injured Mohammed Kudus in Black Stars squad came as a shock to him.

The 21-year-old has been out of action due to an injury since November 2021.

The forward suffered a rib injury during Ghana’s final game against South Africa during the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers at the Cape Coast.

However, head coach of the Black Stars, Milovan Rajevac named the former FC Nordsjaelland forward in his final 28-man squad for the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] in Cameroon.

Kudus was expected to join his Ghana teammates in Yaounde but joined his Ajax teammates to Portugal for their winter break camp.

The enterprising forward subsequently failed to join the Black Stars for the tournament.

Ghana however suffered elimination from the tournament after losing 3-2 to Comoros in their final Group C game on Tuesday night.

However, Mr Afriyie believes the decision to name Kudus in the squad with the hope that he will recover for the tournament was shocking.

“If an injured 19-year-old Kudus Mohammed was the man we were counting on to rescue our tournament, then we have a problem,” he told Accra based Asaase Radio.

Ghana suffered a defeat in their opening game against Morocco before sharing spoils with Gabon.

The Black Stars exited the tournament with just a point after three games played.