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Every word from Mohammed Kudus ahead of Central African Republic game today
Midfielder Mohammed Kudus faced the media on Sunday ahead of our 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Central African Republic at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi. The West Ham United man who is one of the key players in Ghana’s squad is positive about our chances against the Central Africans.
Kudus touched on being under pressure to qualify for yet another FIFA World Cup, playing in his favorite number 10 position, the strength of the squad and many more.
On playing under pressure
Obviously from our point of view we have personal goals and things we want to do so intrinsically, we have pressure every time from the expectations from ourselves. Also we are representing the whole team and the whole of Ghana and so there is pressure from every angle but our motivation and our aim to qualify for the World Cup, so that is the motivation that gets us going in every pressure we find ourselves.
On perception that top players in Europe struggle to play in Africa
Personally, in every game whether in Ghana or Europe, my motivation and my approach is the same and that is to help the team win. Yes I am one of the names they look out for in most of the games but everyone is quite important in the squad. Whether on the bench or whatsoever, like we saw against Mali, it’s the guys on the bench that came to win the game so everyone deserves the same respect and motivation just like us. We are a team, it’s the points that matters, whether I score or anyone else does, or however I perform, the most important thing is that the team wins and we keep improving as players. So personally, I try to do my best in every place I find myself. We started playing from here in Ghana and so there is no excuse as in weather, the pitch and all of that. There are things that come into play but the opponents face the same problems as well so there is no excuse for that but in every game I just try to do my best for the country and the team to get the three points.
On team having belief after comeback win against Mali
That belief has always been there even though it has not been showing in the past few games. Like I said we always want to go to the World Cup and that is the ultimate goal so whatever we do to arrive there that is what we are trying to do. Our Coach has his philosophy and ways of playing but certain games we have to win the hard way but the most important thing is the three points because every game matters here and so that is our ultimate goal.
On playing in different position and performance
I am a player with the versatility to play in different positions so definitely I see that as a positive thing for the Coach. Whichever position I find myself I will do my best for the team. But my best position is the attacking midfield, which is the position the Coach is using me here so there is no excuse not to perform. I will do my best in every game.
Massive celebrations were recorded countrywide as the Black Stars opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Panama in Toronto on Wednesday.
Midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi scored the only goal of the match late in the game as he shot in a decent cross from substitute Brandon Asante.
The win gave Ghana a positive start in the competition, placing them in second position behind England, also with three points but with a superior goal aggregate.
After the final whistle, the streets and other viewing centres were turned into partying grounds as fans, mostly clad in the team’s paraphernalia, danced to several World Cup-themed music.
Others blew the vuvuzelas in joyous mood with others putting up a spirited ‘jama’ session.
Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the Adentan Constituency, Akosua Manu, has urged party members to move away from what she describes as an “entitlement mentality” and focus on unity, sacrifice and hard work as the party prepares for the 2028 general election.
In a statement titled “Is Loyalty a Queue?”, and posted on facebook, Ms. Manu argued that loyalty to the NPP should not be judged by how long a person has been in the party but by their contributions and commitment to its growth.
According to her, the NPP’s history shows that many of its leaders faced significant opposition from within the party before eventually leading it to electoral success.
She cited former President John Agyekum Kufuor as an example, saying he had to overcome resistance from influential figures within the party before winning power for the NPP in 2000.
Ms. Manu noted that after the party lost power in 2008, former President Kufuor faced criticism and accusations from some party members.
However, she said supporters eventually put their differences aside and worked together to rebuild the party.
She pointed to the experience of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who, according to her, faced opposition from some factions within the NPP despite his long service to the party.
“His trials were ten times what Kufuor endured,” she stated, adding that Akufo-Addo eventually overcame the challenges and became President of Ghana.
Turning to the NPP’s current flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Ms. Manu said he also faced resistance from different groups within the party while seeking leadership.
She praised Dr. Bawumia for contributing to policy-based political discussions in Ghana and for remaining composed following the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 elections.
According to her, party members must now rally behind him in the same way they supported former Presidents Kufuor and Akufo-Addo.
Ms. Manu, however, warned that internal divisions and a sense of entitlement remain major threats to the party’s future.
She argued that some party members place too much emphasis on how long individuals have belonged to the NPP rather than on their contributions and capabilities.
“This entitlement does not question impact. It does not ask what you sacrificed or what you built. It asks only how long have you been here,” she said.
The former parliamentary candidate cautioned that such attitudes could discourage committed members and prevent the party from selecting the best people for leadership positions.
She further called on the party’s incoming national executives to strengthen the NPP’s core values of sacrifice, honesty, integrity and dedication to national development.
Ms. Manu addressed the concerns of young party supporters, many of whom she said became discouraged following the NPP’s electoral defeat in 2024.
According to her, many young people remain eager to see the party return to power but are unwilling to support internal conflicts driven by personal ambitions.
She urged party elders to place the interests of the NPP above their individual goals and to demonstrate leadership that attracts rather than alienates members.
“The NPP is bigger than any one of us. It always has been. Our collective responsibility is to act like it,” she stated.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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