Why Otto Addo visited Kudus

Black Stars head coach, Otto Addo, was among the notable guests at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London last Sunday, where he watched the Premier League encounter between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland as part of Ghana’s intensified preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Addo’s presence at the match was at the invitation of Ghana international, Mohammed Kudus, and formed part of a broader European tour by the Black Stars coach to personally assess the form, fitness and match readiness of Ghanaian players plying their trade abroad. 

The technical team is keen on maintaining close contact with key players as Ghana builds a competitive squad capable of making an impact at the global showpiece.

Kudus, who joined Tottenham Hotspur in the summer from West Ham United, has quickly established himself as an important figure at his new club, earning plaudits for his energy, creativity and goal threat. 

Kudus injury

However, the highly anticipated outing ended prematurely for the versatile attacker after he picked up an injury just 19 minutes into the game. He was subsequently withdrawn and replaced by French forward Randal Kolo Muani.

The early substitution sparked concern among both club and country officials, particularly with crucial international assignments looming.

Following the match, Coach Addo held a brief but important meeting with Kudus to check on his condition, receive preliminary feedback on the injury and discuss recovery timelines. 

Assurance

The interaction also allowed the Black Stars coach to reassure the player of his importance to Ghana’s long-term plans.

Addo, a former player and coach of Borussia Dortmund, has consistently emphasised the need for sustained player monitoring, fitness management and tactical cohesion as Ghana targets a strong showing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.