Mohammed Kudus: Ghana Legend Augustine Arhinful Insists West Ham Star Will be Key at AFCON 2023

• Augustine Arhinful has tipped Mohammed Kudus to star at AFCON 2023
• The former Ghana forward believes Kudus will have a positive impact on the team
• Kudus has been in explosive form for West Ham in the Premier League

Former Ghana forward Augustine Arhinful has backed West Ham United midfielder Mohammed Kudus to be the difference-maker for the Black Stars at the Nations Cup.

The 23-year-old has been in fine form since joining the Hammers in the summer transfer window.

Kudus has already netted six goals across all competitions, winning back-to-back Goal of the Month awards at West Ham.

For Arhinful, he is not surprised by Kudus' early form and hopes the ex-Ajax star will stay injury-free before the Africa Cup of Nations starts in January.

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"I'm not surprised at all [at his recent performances] because when he first went to West Ham, we kept complaining about why the coach was not using him. The coach, who works with the team day in and day out, knew what he was doing," Arhinful told Joy Sports, as quoted by Ghana Soccernet.

"I think since the time he was integrated into the team, we have seen his performance keep going up. We should just hope that he doesn't get himself injured," he added.

"He playing well will also affect our national team positively, so we should continue to guide him, advise him, and hope for the best for him."

The Black Stars are expected to start preparations for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations early next year, with the Black Stars hoping to end their 40-year AFCON drought.

Kudus will be featuring at the tournament for the first time, having missed the 2021 edition due to injury, as reported by Pulse.

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Ghana has been drawn in Group B alongside Egypt, Cape Verde and Mozambique.

Moyes disappointed over losing Kudus to AFCON

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that West Ham United manager David Moyes is disappointed to lose Kudus and his African teammates for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Hammers will lose Kudus to Ghana, Nayef Aguerd to Morocco and Said Benrahma to Algeria in January and February next year.

The trio have been key to Moyes' team, playing a role in the comeback win over Tottenham Hotspurs last night in the English Premier League.