Mohammed Kudus opens up about his delayed arrival at the Black Stars camp for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), citing an injury setback as the reason.
Addressing the media before the AFCON tournament kickoff, the West Ham United forward discloses that the injury occurred after the last game with West Ham, prompting him to initiate rehabilitation at the club.
"After our last game at West Ham, I had a setback. I got an injury, so I started my rehabilitation at the club. There was constant communication between the club physiotherapist and the national team's physiotherapists, and the decision was for me to start my rehabilitation at the club and do the last part of my rehab here (in Ghana), and that is what I am doing," says Mohammed Kudus.
Expressing his commitment to being fully prepared for the tournament, Kudus acknowledges the importance of regaining fitness to contribute effectively to the Black Stars.
"I am doing my best to be ready for the team because the only way I can help the team is to be fully fit and ready," he adds.
The 2023 AFCON kicks off in Ivory Coast, with Ghana set to face Cape Verde in their Group B clash.
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Ghanaian forward, Mohammed Kudus, emphasizes his dedication to contributing his best to the success of the Black Stars in the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
In a statement to the GFA media team, Kudus acknowledges the privilege of representing his country on the national stage and highlights the responsibilities that come with it. Despite changes in club affiliations, he underlines the distinct and unwavering connection to the national team.
"As a professional player, changing clubs is likely, but your country and your national team remain the same. So, for me to be part of the squad in a country of 30 million is a huge privilege that comes with a lot of responsibilities. I don’t joke with national team football," says Kudus.
Being a member of the West Ham United forward holds significant importance for Kudus, recognizing the pressure and responsibility that comes with representing the nation on the international stage.
"It’s a big privilege for me, my family, and everyone. There is a lot of pressure from the country, and you are literally playing for the whole nation. So, representing my country is a big privilege, and I always see it as a significant opportunity to make the people happy. We are going to do our best for the country," he adds.
Fully committed to the cause, Kudus assures fans that he will give his best while wearing the national team shirt. He calls for the support and prayers of fans, expressing confidence in the team's ability to perform well in the tournament.
''I am fully committed to it. I always do my best when I am in the shirt so we just urge the fans for more support and prayers and we are going to do our best in the tournament.”
The 2023 AFCON kicks off in Ivory Coast on January 13, with Ghana scheduled to play their first match against Cape Verde in Group B on Sunday.
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In the lead-up to Ghana's much-anticipated AFCON 2023 opener against Cape Verde, team captain Andre Ayew shared his thoughts and optimism with the press, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting tournament.
