No sooner has the dressing-room bust up with Julen Lopetegui been smoothed over with all parties claiming ‘a storm in a teacup’, than poor Mohammed Kudus gets more misery. From RFI.com we hear that Kudus was called out and name-checked as one of whom more was expected, by Ghanaian Football President Kurt Okraku, during a long rambling speech through which the players did well to keep respectful faces. Kudus’ was amongst those who had to listen as they were repeatedly beseeched to:
“Die for Ghana or never be selected again,” the clearly posturing -for-the-cameras President told a team captained by midfielder Kudus.
“It is not acceptable to see Ghanaian players laughing and smiling after draws. The minimum I expect is a team of footballers with passion,” he added.
So in that hostile environment for the players, every member of the Ghana squad was under scrutiny before their game yesterday. Unfortunately poor Kudus missed an ‘absolute sitter’ against Sudan, from one metre out in the last few minutes of normal time.
Had he managed to deflect the ball into the net, he would have won the game for Ghana, got the president and the media off his back and eased his countries’ woes in the group in which they are struggling to grab points.
A pretty disheartening couple of days for Kudus after his welcome return to form and the palpable relief in his goal celebration after heading-in against Ipswich Town.
Hopefully he can put the International frustration behind him, although it must be said the Ghanaian media are pretty ruthless in their criticism of him.
Fortunately the games come thick and fast, Ghana lying second in their group have another game in under three days time. A chance for redemption for West Ham’s starboy.