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Qatar 2022: We could have excelled if we knew each other – Salis Abdul Samed

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Black Stars midfielder, Salis Abdul Samed, has attributed the team’s early exit from the 2022 FIFA World Cup to lack of cohesion among the players.

Ghana suffered a group stage exit for the second consecutive time after losing to Uruguay in the final Group H encounter last Friday. The loss follows defeat to Portugal and the win over South Korea.

Although some players had the opportunity of playing together in the past, the core part of Otto Addo’s team for the World Cup only played with one another during the playoff game against Nigeria as well as AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Central Africa Republic.

Others also had the opportunity during the friendlies against Brazil, Nicaragua and Switzerland but mainly the team had not played together for long, something Abdul Samed believes cost them at the global showpiece.

“To me, we are now building the team. We are learning because we don’t know each other, I think we could have done much more if we knew each other. I think that if the staff, management and the President, Kurt Okraku could keep the same team or make some additions because we have good players in Europe, it’s a buildup team and I think we have the qualities just that we don’t know each other much”

“Even though we don’t know each other much we did well, though the nation is a bit sad because we were unable to qualify. We did our best, everyone gave his all, I think this team is very solid just we don’t know each other,” he told 3Sports.

Samed was part of the new players who was brought in by Otto Addo ahead of the World Cup after impressing for Lens in the French Ligue 1.The Black Stars will now hope for a better outcome as they turn attention to the remainder of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Source: myjoyonline

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It feels like I’ve been here a long time – Mohammed Kudus after scoring his first goal for West Ham

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The Ghanaian international scored his first goal for the club in their 3-1 turnaround win against Serbian side TSC Backa Topola. The West London based club returned to Europa League action on Thursday night after their Europa Conference League win last season as the former Ajax attacking midfielder netted his first goal for the Hummers. Watch Kudus’ post-match interview below:

The Ghanaian international scored his first goal for the club in a 3-1 comeback victory over Serbian side TSC Backa Topola.

After winning the Europa Conference League last season, the West London club returned to Europa League play on Thursday night, with the former Ajax offensive midfielder scoring his first goal for the Hummers.

Below is Kudus’ post-match interview:

https://x.com/sportworldghana/status/1704994333353468177?s=20

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“Mohammed Kudus is yet another weapon for David Moyes” – Joe Cole

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Kudus' first goal for West Ham brings his season total to five goals in six games, following his five goals for Ajax before entering the London Stadium. To far, the 23-year-old has scored nine goals in 18 appearances in the Champions League and Europa League. Kudus will now look to make his Premier League debut against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Former West Ham and Chelsea player Joe Cole praised Mohammed Kudus after the summer signing scored his first goal for the club in the team’s 3-1 Europa League victory against Backa Topola.

Kudus, who joined the Hammers for £38 million from Dutch giants Ajax, made his debut appearance for the club. The Ghanaian international was instrumental in West Ham’s comeback after Petar Stanic handed the Serbian visitors an unexpected lead.

Kudus applied pressure at the back post, which resulted in Nemanja Petrovic turning Said Benrahma’s cross into his own net in the 66th minute. Kudus sealed the comeback four minutes later with a headed goal from a James Ward-Prowse corner.

Joe Cole, appearing on TNT Sports, praised Kudus’ performance and believes the attacker will become a useful asset to David Moyes’ West Ham club.

“He [Kudus] looked like he was happy and settled,” Cole remarked. “He is another weapon for David Moyes. I look at this team and I see goals everywhere; it was a great night for West Ham.

Kudus’ first goal for West Ham brings his season total to five goals in six games, following his five goals for Ajax before entering the London Stadium.

To far, the 23-year-old has scored nine goals in 18 appearances in the Champions League and Europa League.

Kudus will now look to make his Premier League debut against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

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George Owu justifies the choice of Andre Ayew in Ghana’s team, emphasising the need of experience

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The club will require Ayew more at this level, according to the former Hasaacas shot-stopper, because the existing players are not properly grounded. "This is a young team with only a few seasoned players. The only experienced players are Andre Ayew and Jordan. Kudus, for example, are suddenly finding their feet," George Owu told Onua Sports. "Andre Ayew has made significant contributions to Ghana football, winning the U-20 World Cup in 2009, but he appears unhappy whenever he plays for Ghana due to the way fans treat him." "We must be patient with [Andre Ayew]." He will undoubtedly declare his retirement at some point, but for the time being, he is still required.

Former Black Stars custodian George Owu has pleaded with Ghanaians not to be judgmental of Andre Ayew’s selection in Ghana teams, despite his uneven club activities in recent months.

The Ghana captain is now without a club after leaving Premier League team Nottingham Forest at the end of last season.

He was, however, included in Chris Hughton’s latest squad for Ghana’s matches against the Central African Republic in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, as well as an international friendly against Liberia, which Ghana won 3-1.

Despite many Ghanaians’ reservations over the inclusion of the 33-year-old, George Owu agrees with Hughton’s reasoning, emphasising experience as a major aspect in the player’s invitation.

The club will require Ayew more at this level, according to the former Hasaacas shot-stopper, because the existing players are not properly grounded.

“This is a young team with only a few seasoned players. The only experienced players are Andre Ayew and Jordan. Kudus, for example, are suddenly finding their feet,” George Owu told Onua Sports.

“Andre Ayew has made significant contributions to Ghana football, winning the U-20 World Cup in 2009, but he appears unhappy whenever he plays for Ghana due to the way fans treat him.”

“We must be patient with [Andre Ayew].” He will undoubtedly declare his retirement at some point, but for the time being, he is still required.

“There are players who lack motivation to play because they are afraid of being criticised, and it will take people like Ayew to boost their morale.”

“The insults and criticisms are unnecessary, and they will not aid the new player’s adjustment,” he continued.

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