West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus will not feature in the international friendly between Ghana and Nigeria after suffering an injury.
The 23-year-old is currently one of the best-performing African footballers in Europe, having set the Premier League alight since joining the Hammers from Ajax Amsterdam last summer.
Kudus was expected to be one of the star attractions in the upcoming friendly between Nigeria and Ghana, which will be played in Marrakesh, Morocco on March 22.
However, the Right to Dream academy graduate won’t be joining the Black Stars for the March international break following a shoulder injury.
Kudus withdraws from Nigeria vs Ghana game due to injury
Kudus was initially part of recently appointed head coach Otto Addo’s 26-man squad for the games against Nigeria and Uganda.
However, the former Nordsjaelland playmaker is believed to have suffered a shoulder injury during West Ham’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa in the Premier League last Sunday, and has now withdrawn.
Although the Ghanaian managed to play the full throttle, he later complained of discomfort in his shoulder and has been advised by doctors to stay back in London to recuperate.
Kudus has been a key player for the Hammers, and netted a double in the Europa League round of 16 second-leg victory over Freiburg to take his tally to 11 goals for the Hammers this season.
Several high-profile players to miss Nigeria vs Ghana game
Meanwhile, Kudus is not the only high-profile player who will be missing the big game between Nigeria and Ghana on March 22.
On the Super Eagles’ side, Napoli forward and reigning CAF Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, has also been ruled out due to an inflammation of a scar from a previous injury.
George Finidi’s side will also be without Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi and Empoli’s Tyronne Ebuehi, both of whom have had seasons blighted by injury.
For Ghana, Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey asked to be left out of the squad after just returning from a groin injury, while Athletic Club’s Inaki Williams also pulled out “to have some rest and fully recover from recent injury setbacks,” the GFA said in a statement.
