Former Black Stars skipper Asamoah Gyan has admitted Ghana could face a serious creative setback should influential midfielder Mohammed Kudus fail to recover in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Kudus, who has become one of the focal points of Ghana’s attacking setup in recent years, is currently battling an injury concern that threatens his participation in the tournament set to be staged across North America.
Speaking during an interview with Channel One TV, Gyan highlighted the enormous value Kudus brings to the national team, insisting the midfielder’s intelligence on the ball, ability to unlock compact defences and overall attacking ingenuity make him almost irreplaceable in the current squad.
According to the former Sunderland and Al Ain striker, losing a player of Kudus’ profile at such a crucial stage would significantly weaken the Black Stars’ offensive threat.
Semenyo laments Kudus setback, calls injury ‘frustrating’ ahead of World Cup
Gyan, however, maintained that Ghana’s technical bench must begin preparing alternative tactical plans immediately, stressing that successful teams at major tournaments are often those capable of adapting quickly to unexpected setbacks.
The three-time World Cup participant also encouraged the squad to remain mentally focused despite the uncertainty surrounding Kudus’ fitness, adding that Ghana must continue building a competitive side ahead of their upcoming friendly against Mexico and the World Cup itself.
The Black Stars have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia for the global showpiece. Ghana will begin their campaign against Panama on June 17 before taking on England six days later and wrapping up the group stage against Croatia on June 27.
