Kudus boost as desperate Ghana seek AFCON redemption

JOHANNESBURG: Troubled Ghana have received a boost with Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mohammed Kudus available for a must-win Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Somalia on Thursday. Injuries ruled the 26-year-old out of the 2026 World Cup, and he also missed AFCON losses to the Ivory Coast and the Gambia two months ago. Veteran captain and striker Jordan Ayew, who plays for English second-tier club Sheffield United, is another returnee as Ghana seek redemption after a dismal start in Group C. However, the four-time African champions must do without injured Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo when they face opponents 130 places lower in the world rankings. The loss to the Ivorians in Abidjan was not unexpected, but the 4-2 defeat at home to the Gambians after building a two-goal lead led to Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz resigning. Matchdays three and four begin on Thursday and conclude on Tuesday. Countries meet each other at home and away, but Ghana will be at ‘home’ twice due to the security situation in Somalia. Somali preparations at a university stadium in Accra were disrupted when security personnel ordered the squad to move to another location.