Mohammed Kudus has never been an ordinary footballer.
His rise from the Right to Dream Academy to Denmark’s Nordsjaelland, then to Ajax, and now the Premier League has been marked by a boldness that sets him apart.
He is fearless on the ball, thrives on big stages, and has earned a reputation as one of Ghana’s brightest modern talents.
After an electric debut season at West Ham, where he scored 14 goals across all competitions, the 2024/25 campaign was underwhelming by his standards. He managed just five league goals and two assists, struggled with consistency, and found himself rotated in and out of the starting XI.
Tottenham Hotspur’s £55 million gamble this summer, however, seems to have reignited him. Deployed mainly on the right wing under Thomas Frank, Kudus has already registered two assists in his first three Premier League matches, showing signs of his sharp dribbling, quick combinations, and ability to beat defenders one-on-one.
That resurgence comes at a time when Ghana needs him most. The Black Stars return to action in September for two key 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, against Chad on September 4 and Madagascar on September 8.
Ghana lead Group I with 15 points, but Comoros trail closely with 12. A single slip could reopen the race, and the pressure is on.
Why Kudus is Ghana’s difference-maker
Kudus has scored every 315 minutes across his professional career for the Black Stars. He has 12 goals in 42 caps, making him one of the highest-scoring midfielder in the squad. Unlike Thomas Partey, Kudus doesn’t just recycle possession, he creates chaos. Earlier this year, he had 91 successful dribbles at club level, the second most last season in the Premier League.
At just 25, Kudus has already scored at the World Cup (2022), the Europa League, and in the Premier League. He relishes the big occasion which is a priceless trait for a national team chasing qualification.
“I think in some of the players we have, Kudus has got that spark and creativity,” Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank hailed Kudus.
That is exactly what Ghana will be banking on in September. Otto Addo’s side are compact, but at times predictable going forward. Kudus’ spark, a sudden dribble, a defence-splitting pass, or a curling shot from range, is what can turn draws into wins.
In the end, Ghana’s collective effort will matter. But if there is one player who embodies the X-factor needed to edge tight battles, it is Mohammed Kudus.
