Kudos to Kudus: Youngster lights up Black Stars

MOHAMMED Kudus (pic) announced himself on the global stage with his brace on Monday to show why he is one of the most coveted young players in football.

The attacking midfielder scored twice, including the winner, in Ghana’s dramatic 3-2 win over South Korea in Qatar.

The 22-year-old, who plays his club football for Ajax, almost single-handedly saved Ghana’s World Cup campaign when he stroked in left-footed in the 68th minute.

He had earlier scored with a header, before Son Heung-min’s South Korea mounted a comeback, only for Kudus to win it for Ghana and their colourful, chanting fans. He has now scored seven times in 20 appearances for his country, having made his debut three years ago.

It remains to be seen how much further Ghana go at the tournament – they have three points from two games and face a grudge match against Uruguay in their final Group H match on Friday.

But no matter what they do, Kudus looks set to go far once the World Cup wraps up.

The Black Stars captain Andre Ayew shrugged and smiled when asked afterwards how impressed he had been by his young teammate.

“Not impressed at all,” the 32-year-old forward said, a smile forming on his face again. “It’s normal – it’s Kudus.

“He has a bright future in front of him. We know this, I know this, Ghana knows it now, the world is going to know it.

“You’ll see, more is coming from my boy.” Crystal Palace’s Jordan Ayew – Andre’s brother – came into the Ghana side and provided the cross for Kudus’ first-half header He said Kudus was “shining”.

“And hopefully he can keep on shining because he has a really bright future,” said the 31-year-old.

Kudus made a piece of history, his double the first by a Ghanian in a World Cup match.

“He’s a good character,” said coach Otto Addo.

“He’s a very good guy who one against one is fast. He has very good game intelligence.

“He has to work more defensively, this is for sure, but he is on the right track to be a great, great player.”