â??We need himâ? - Agyemang-Badu backs Kudus to lead Ghana in Parteyâ??s absence

Former Ghana international Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu believes Mohammed Kudus’ return to the Black Stars comes at the right time, insisting the Tottenham star can provide leadership in the absence of Thomas Partey.

Kudus has been recalled by Carlos Queiroz for Ghana’s upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia, having missed the 2026 FIFA World Cup through injury.

With Partey unavailable for the September qualifiers, Agyemang-Badu believes Ghana needs a player of Kudus’ character and quality to take greater responsibility.

“I think we need him at this particular time. Especially in this kind of game, when you are missing somebody like Partey, you need this kind of character to lead the team,” Agyemang-Badu said.

Kudus has only recently returned to competitive action after a lengthy injury layoff, making his first Tottenham start under Roberto De Zerbi in the Carabao Cup against Liverpool before coming off the bench in Saturday’s 3-2 Premier League defeat to Aston Villa, where he provided an assist.

Agyemang-Badu admits he is unsure of the midfielder’s current fitness level but believes his return to the Ghana squad is a positive indication.

“For the club to allow him to come means that he’s strong and gradually coming up. I don’t know the standard level of his fitness, but still, I think we need him.”

The former Black Stars midfielder also welcomed the return of Alexander Djiku, who missed the World Cup through injury.

“Djiku, as usual, everybody knows him. Unfortunately, before the World Cup, he got injured, but he came back and he was playing. We need the maturity at the back of our defence as well. So, it’s good for the team that both are here.”

Ghana face Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on September 24 before hosting The Gambia in Accra on September 29. The Black Stars will then face Morocco in an international friendly on October 4.

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