2021 Africa Cup of Nations: Ghana suffer big blow as Ajax confirm unwillingness to release Mohammed Kudus for tournament

Dutch side, Ajax Amsterdam are unwilling to release Mohammed Kudus for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

The 20 year old has been named in Ghana’s 30-man provisional squad for the 33rd edition of the Afcon.

Kudus suffered a rib injury during Black Stars final group game against South Africa during the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers at the Cape Coast Stadium.

Milovan Rajevac was hoping the exciting forward will recover for the tournament but Ajax have confirmed their unwillingness to release the youngster for the tournament scheduled to be hosted in Cameroon next month.

However, Footballghana.com understand the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is yet to receive an officical communique from the Dutch club on the situation on Kudus.

Rajevac will now have to settle on a new player as a replacement for the former Right to Dream Academy graduate.

Meanwhile, the Black Stars officially opened camp in Qatar on Wednesday, where they will camp 17 days behind closed doors.

The Black Stars will play three friendly games before flying to Yaounde for the tournament.

Ghana are housed in Group C alongside Morocco, Gabon and Comoros.

The 2021 Afcon will kick off January 9 to February 6 with the Black Stars aiming to end the country’s 40 years trophy drought.