Mohammed Kudus has officially arrived in Kumasi to join the Black Stars’ camp in preparation for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The confirmation of his arrival came through a video shared on the national team’s social media platforms on Tuesday afternoon.
Accompanying the 23-year-old was a member of the medical team, likely a physiotherapist, from his club, West Ham United.
This physiotherapist from the Premier League side, currently placed sixth, will collaborate with the Black Stars’ medical team to ensure Kudus attains full fitness before participating in the Ivory Coast tournament.
The duration required for Kudus’s recovery remains uncertain.
Reports suggest that the player may need an additional five to six days to recover from the hamstring injury sustained during a game against Arsenal on December 28.
Consequently, Kudus is unlikely to be available for the team’s opening AFCON group game against Cape Verde on Sunday.
The absence of Kudus poses a considerable challenge for the national team, given his impactful contributions. Kudus has notably scored nine goals and provided three assists in 30 games for the national team.
Additionally, his performances this season include six goals in 16 Premier League games and two goals in five Europa League matches.
It’s worth noting that Mohamed Kudus is still awaiting his first AFCON appearance for the Black Stars. In the previous tournament in 2021 in Cameroon, he had to withdraw due to a rib fracture.