Sports journalist and coach, Christopher Nimley, believes Mohammed Kudus is Ghana’s standout player for the upcoming 2023 AFCON. However, Nimley emphasizes the necessity for coaching to ensure Kudus replicates his outstanding club performance with West Ham on the national stage.
The dynamic West Ham United star, is expected to lead Ghana’s attack in their quest to break a 42-year trophy drought. Despite joining the national camp later due to a minor injury, Kudus has been individually training in Cote D’Ivoire, where the team is currently preparing for the tournament.
Coach Nimley, in an interview with Happy FM, pointed out that while Kudus is undoubtedly Ghana’s best player, he requires proper coaching to maximize his potential. Nimley noted that Kudus tends to adopt a more individualistic approach in the national team, emphasizing the importance of guidance and teamwork.
“Kudus despite being our best player heading into the AFCON, he needs to be coached to unleash the actual beast in him. If he is in the national team, he wants to get things done by himself forgetting it’s a collective team effort. He needs that guidance.”
Ghana is set to kick off their AFCON campaign against Cape Verde on Sunday, January 14, 2024, followed by matches against Egypt and Mozambique on January 18 and 22, respectively, in Group B. The tournament is scheduled to run from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
Despite Ghana’s illustrious AFCON history, having won the title four times, the last triumph being in 1982, they have faced disappointment in recent finals, including losses to Ivory Coast in 1992 and 2015, as well as Egypt in 2010.