The Ghanaian Football Association has reportedly declined West Ham United’s request to extend the reporting date for their midfielder, Mohammed Kudus, to the national team camp. West Ham United expressed a desire to retain Kudus until after their Premier League match against Brighton on Wednesday evening.
Kudus, who has been a standout performer for West Ham since his move from Ajax, has become a key player for the club, complicating the decision to release him for the upcoming 2023 AFCON.
However, FIFA regulations stipulate that all clubs must release players invited for the 2023 AFCON by January 1, 2024. A club can only retain a player beyond this date with mutual consent between the club and the national team.
Refusal to release an invited player can result in heavy fines imposed by FIFA. In the case of Ghana and West Ham, the final decision lies with the West African side, and they have decided that Kudus is expected to join the tournament today, January 2.
Had Ghana agreed to West Ham’s request, Kudus would have reported to the national team camp on Thursday, January 4, potentially disrupting the plans of the Black Stars, who aim to build their team around the talented 23-year-old attacking midfielder.
Since joining the Premier League club last summer, Kudus has been in impressive form, scoring nine goals in 24 appearances across all competitions.
Ghana’s journey in the 2023 AFCON begins in Group B against Cape Verde on January 14, followed by a match against Egypt on January 18, and their final group stage game against Mozambique on January 22.
