Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus has been named captain for the Black Stars’ decisive Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Sudan on Thursday, 10 October.
Head coach Otto Addo confirmed the midfielder’s appointment, as both regular captain Andre Ayew and stand-in captain Thomas Partey are unavailable.
Partey, who has led the team in recent matches, was withdrawn from the squad due to medical concerns raised by his club, Arsenal.
The midfielder will undergo further tests in London, missing the crucial fixture. Andre Ayew, the Black Stars’ official captain, has not been included in the squad for the qualifiers, paving the way for Kudus to step into the leadership role.
Kudus, a standout performer for both club and country, will now lead the team in the absence of two of Ghana’s most experienced players.
The match against Sudan, coached by Kwesi Appiah, marks a turning point for the Black Stars, who have only secured one point from their opening two games in the AFCON qualifiers.
With key players missing, the pressure is on Kudus and the rest of the squad to revive their campaign.
Ghana currently sits third in Group F, and Thursday’s encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium is seen as a must-win to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Defender Alidu Seidu, reflecting on the team’s 1-1 draw against Niger, said the result had been a “lesson” and vowed that the team is “ready to give everything” to secure victories in the upcoming fixtures.
Following the home match, the Black Stars will travel to Libya for the return leg on 15 October, as they continue their push for a place in the 2025 AFCON tournament.
