Ghanaian newspapers react to Mohammed Kudus as West Ham star plays v Central African Republic
West Ham United midfielder Mohammed Kudus scored the equalising goal for Ghana against the Central African Republic on Thursday evening in a 2-1 victory for the Black Stars.
Ghana boss Chris Hughton started the Hammers’ new signing and in the 43rd minute, the 23-year-old bent a free-kick from outside the area into the top left corner, evading the seemingly non-existent wall, before heading to the Ghanaian support.
Hughton’s side left it late to secure the win, with Lyon forward Ernest Nuamah leaving it until the 88th minute to make it 2-1 in the African Cup of Nations qualifier, but Kudus’ side got the job done at the Baba Yara Stadium.
Ghanaian media have reacted to Kudus’ performance in his first clash with the Black Stars since making his move from Ajax to Stratford.
Ahead of the match, GhanaSoccerNet suggested (7 September) that Kudus was “poised to captivate football fans” and that the 23-year-old is “currently enjoying the peak of his career”.
After the victory, FootballGhana (7 September) gushed over Kudus, giving him Man of the Match with the highest rating of any player, while claiming he was a “live wire” throughout the 90 and made “brilliant” progressive runs following his “curling” equaliser.
While GhanaWeb (8 September) caught up with a West Ham fan, Ian, who travelled to the Baba Yara Stadium just to see Kudus, they noted that he scored the “crucial” equalising freekick.
The Ghanaian Chronicle (7 September) dubbed Kudus as Ghana’s “star player” with his “incredibly converted” effort helping to “bolster their confidence going into the dressing room”.
Top performance
At least West Ham and temporary Ghana fan Ian got to see a top performance from the Hammers’ new signing.
Kudus has always performed for the Black Stars, with his excellence in the 2022 World Cup putting him on the radar of a lot of football fans.
He took his free kick very well and at a significant moment of the game, with just minutes left of the first half.
While it is unlikely that Kudus will be taking free kicks away from James Ward-Prowse any time soon, it is reassuring for Hammers fans that they have a midfield stacked with set-piece specialists.
Kudus has hardly had the chance to get his West Ham career up and running and he will be expected to feature much more after the international break, but he is clearly keeping match-sharp and fit.
The former Ajax man is clearly loved in his home country, so expect many new West Ham fans in Ghana if Kudus keeps performing.
In other West Ham news, an image has been shared of a behind-closed-doors friendly despite a secrecy pact between the sides.