Ghana’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers have received a significant boost after Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi confirmed that Mohammed Kudus has reached a level of physical readiness that could allow him to make his first start since returning from a lengthy injury absence. The announcement comes ahead of Tottenham’s EFL Cup third round encounter with Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday, September 15.
The 25 year old Ghanaian forward has gradually resumed competitive football after a serious quadriceps injury kept him out of action for several months and forced him to miss Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. Although Kudus has returned to the Tottenham squad, the club’s technical team has carefully managed his workload as he rebuilds his fitness and sharpness.
Speaking before the much anticipated meeting with Liverpool, De Zerbi indicated that Kudus is now in a better physical condition and could be included in the starting lineup, although James Maddison is not yet ready to begin a match. The Italian tactician also suggested that the Ghanaian could operate in a more advanced position, including as a number 10, depending on the tactical requirements of the encounter.
Kudus’ return to competitive action began against Newcastle United on August 29, when he came on as a substitute and played approximately 23 minutes. He subsequently featured from the bench against Nottingham Forest on September 5 before making another substitute appearance in Tottenham’s goalless Premier League draw with Everton on September 12. His involvement in those matches has provided a gradual increase in playing time as he continues his recovery.
The possibility of a starting role against Liverpool represents another important stage in the Ghanaian’s rehabilitation. However, while De Zerbi’s assessment suggests that Kudus is physically prepared to begin a match, his ability to maintain a high intensity throughout the contest will remain an important consideration after his extended absence from competitive football.
Kudus’ potential involvement also comes at a difficult moment for Tottenham, who have endured a challenging opening to the Premier League campaign. Spurs were held to a goalless draw by Everton on September 12, extending their run without a league goal to four matches. The club will therefore be hoping that the return of important attacking players can improve its creativity and effectiveness in the final third.
For Ghana, the development is particularly encouraging as the Black Stars prepare for their opening fixtures in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The national team is scheduled to travel to Bouaké to face Côte d’Ivoire on September 24 before hosting The Gambia in Accra five days later.
Kudus’ availability had remained a matter of concern following the injury that ruled him out of the World Cup and kept him away from Tottenham’s competitive fixtures for a prolonged period. His return to action has consequently renewed hopes that he could be considered for Carlos Queiroz’s squad ahead of the crucial qualifying assignments.
The immediate priority, however, will be to monitor the midfielder’s progress and determine how much playing time he can safely accumulate before the international break. A start against Liverpool would provide a valuable indication of his recovery, although the final decision will rest with De Zerbi and Tottenham’s medical and technical teams.
Kudus remains an important attacking option for the Black Stars, with his creativity, technical quality and ability to threaten opposing defences making his return particularly significant for Ghana’s ambitions. As the national team prepares to begin its pursuit of qualification for the 2027 AFCON, the attention of Ghanaian supporters will now turn to Kudus’ involvement at Anfield and his continued progress towards full match fitness.
