Huge Boost for Ajax Ahead UCL Clash With Benfica As Mohammed Kudus Returns to First Team Action

Huge Boost for Ajax Ahead UCL Clash With Benfica As Mohammed Kudus Returns to First Team Action

Lukman Mumuni
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:56 PM
In this article:
Mohammed Kudus logo
M.Kudus
West Ham United logoMGhana logo
  • Ghana midfielder Mohammed Kudus made his first appearance for Ajax's first team in the Eredivisie since November last year
  • The 21-year-old came on as a second half substitute as Ajax thrashed FC Twente on Sunday in the Dutch Eredivisie
  • Kudus Mohammed is expected to fight his way back into the starting line up ahead of the UEFA Champions League clash against Benfica

Mohammed Kudus made his first Dutch Eredivisie appearance for Ajax in 2022 after a cameo display in Ajax's 5-0 thrashing of FC Twente on Sunday.

The Ghana ace, who missed AFCON due to an injury, has not played in the league since picking an injury against South Africa in the World Cup qualifier on November 15, 2021.

However, on Sunday he replaced Stephen Berghuis as he continues to build on his fitness ahead of next week's UEFA Champions League clash against Benfica.

Mohammed Kudus in action for Ajax before getting injured. Credit: @AFCAjax
Mohammed Kudus returns to first team action for Ajax in the Eredivisie. Credit: @AFCAjax
Source: Twitter

The 21-year-old's return is also a huge boots for Ghana who are preparing for the double-header World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria in March.

Kudus was forced to miss the Africa Cup of Nations last month due to the injury, even though he was included in the squad for the tournament.

Manager Erik Ten Hag will be hoping his priced asset stays fit for the rest of the campaign as the Dutch giants chase the treble.

Mohammed Kudus plays for Ajax's youth team as he continues recovery

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Mohammed Kudus has recovered from the injury that has kept him out for three months after getting game time in Ajax's youth team clash with PSV Eindhoven.

The 21-year-old had not played any football since picking an injury in Ghana's World Cup qualifier against South Africa on November 14, 2021.

However, on Monday night he was in the lineup for Ajax as they defeated Jong PSV in a youth league game as he prepares for a first-team return.

Why Mohammed Kudus missed AFCON

Erik Ten Hag, Ajax's manager, has revealed that Ghanaian midfielder Mohammed Kudus will not be joining the Black Stars for the Africa Cup of Nations.

According to Ten Hag, the 21-year-old who could not make the bench for Ajax's match at Utrecht is yet to make fully recovery.

Mohammed Kudus has not played competitive football since picking up an injury in the game against South Africa in November 2021.

Authors
Lukman Mumuni photo
Lukman Mumuni
Lukman Abdul Mumin is a Sports Journalist based in Accra, Ghana. He has been writing for the past five years. Lukman joined Sports Brief as an Editor for the Local Desk in 2022.
Tags
Ghana