It’s official as star boy Mohammed Kudus returns to West Ham after Ghana’s AFCON exit was confirmed this evening.
Last night we reported that West Ham star Mohammed Kudus was all but certain to be returning to east London following Ghana’s disastrous 2-2 draw with Mozambique.
There was an outside – albeit remote – chance that Ghana could live to fight another day at AFCON depending on results elsewhere. Because it was still possible the Black Stars could be one of the four best third-placed sides to make the last 16.
That would have denied West Ham the services of Kudus until at least the turn of the month.
Confirmed: It’s official as Kudus returns
It was always highly unlikely after they threw away a 2-0 lead in stoppage time against Moambique.
And so it has proved.
It is now confirmed and official as Kudus returns to West Ham after Ghana’s AFCON exit.
And we have seen just how much David Moyes needs him.
Hosts Ivory Coast were already ahead of Ghana in the fight for one of the four best third-placed team slots.
Now Cameroon’s late 3-2 win over Gambia means Guinea – on four points – take another potential slot away from Kudus and co.
Late Cameroon win seals fate
No matter what happens in the last games in Group E, the third-placed team there – currently Namibia – already have more points than Ghana.
That leaves one slot available.
But with the bottom two teams in Group D – Algeria and Mauritania – facing each other in their final game, the third-placed team there is guaranteed to end up with more points than Ghana regardless of the result.
Before the tournament we stated on Hammers News that ‘West Ham could get a huge Kudus boost thanks to hapless Hughton’s bang average Ghana’. And our report highlighted that Ghana were nowhere near being certs to even get out of the group.
Great news for Hammers but spare a thought for Mo
From a selfish point of view on the West Ham side, we’re delighted to say ‘we told you so’. Commiserations to Kudus but my goodness West Ham need him. And he will now be back in plenty of time for the home game against Bournemouth next Thursday night.
But we must also spare a thought for Kudus, who looked devastated by his side’s exit.
And we mustn’t underestimate the toll this might take on the Hammers’ £38m man as he has a lot of pressure on his shoulders as Ghana’s leading light.
On a positive note for Kudus – and West Ham – the attacker exits AFCON as officially the best player in the tournament according to football data experts WhoScored.
