‘Nobody wants to take that risk’ – Ghana boss and GFA defend 26-year-old Tottenham winger’s international withdrawal

Tottenham Hotspur attacker Mohammed Kudus has withdrawn from international duty with Ghana to complete a three-week fitness block in North London under manager Roberto De Zerbi. The 26-year-old winger recently returned from an eight-month quad injury and played 75 minutes in a Carabao Cup fixture against Liverpool. Kudus will miss upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Ivory Coast and Gambia, as well as a friendly against Morocco.

Following criticism in Ghana, Ghana Football Association Executive Council member Frederick Acheampong and head coach Carlos Queiroz defended the decision. Queiroz confirmed that protecting Kudus from a potential setback led to the agreement, while Acheampong dismissed conspiracy theories concerning his withdrawal alongside other absent Black Stars players.