Mohammed Kudus: a dagger in the heart of South Korea

The opening match for Black Stars at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar resulted in
unbearable pain for many local supporters at home and abroad as Ghana was defeated
by Portugal in a two-three soccer brawl on November 24, 2022.

The goal opportunity missed by Inaki Williams in the final minutes of the game was a disappointment to
watch as hope for a draw game was snatched away from the hearts of many Black
Stars supporters. The stars, however, reversed the outcome of the past results when
thrashed the Taegeuk Warriors of South Korea in a three-two win last Monday,
November 28 2022 in what AFC Ajax would term the“Kudus Dream.”
Mohammed Kudus netted twice in the Black Stars against South Korea to keep
Ghana’s hopes of qualifying for the next stage of the competition are alive.

The sterling performance of Kudus won him the obvious Man of the Match award. After a thrilling
performance and cheerful moments for many Ghanaians across the world, the Star
Boy of Black Stars, Kudus, goalkeeper Zigi, defender Salisu, and “darling boy” Jordan
Ayew was the main contender for the player of the match award on social media.
The extraordinary performance of Jordan Ayew, who was involved in two of the
three goals netted by the Black Stars sent a strong message to many Ghanaians that
had consistently questioned the fitness and effectiveness of the striker.
Patrick Fynn (Facebook user, Medical Practitioner) posted:
“We owe Jordan Ayew an apology”. According to Fynn, watching Ghana-Korea
match has reduced the life expectancy of the average Ghanaian by five point eight years

(5.8 years).”

The comments followed after Ayew delivered two superb assists to Mohammed Salisu
and Kudus scored in the 24th and 34th minutes respectively.
John Dramani Mahama, former President of the Republic of Ghana, could not be left
out of the excitement that flooded the entire country, he posted on Facebook:
“Congratulations to the Black Stars for this relieving and vital victory against South
Korea. This win sets the stage for our next game against Uruguay; No room for

complacency!”

While the praises went up for the players and the team in general, Otto Addo, the
Black Stars coach received a deserving commendation from many supporters across
the world particularly CAF for making Africa honored.

“Made Africa proud! Otto Addo has led @GhanaBlackstars to their first FIFAWorldCup 2022 win!”

Social media users would have “gone mad” at FIFA if the American referee (Ismail
Elfath) in our first match against the Portuguese had replicated himself in the English
referee, Anthony Taylor. Meanwhile, Coach Otto Addo, however, had apologized to

FIFA on his first post-World Cup match press conference remarks against Portugal
and the five times Ballon D’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo is the only male
player to score in five World Cup tournaments, just one more ahead of Miroslav Klose
of Germany.

Ghana plays against Uruguay on Monday, 2 December 2022 at 3:00 pm to book their
qualification for the round of 16 of the competition. Nana Dankwa Akuffo-Addo has
called on the national team to pay back the painful defeat they suffered at the hands of
the Uruguayans at the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals match in South Africa. He said,
“Kudos to the Black Stars. Hard fought, but thoroughly well-deserved victory against
South Korea. Proud of the entire team and the unalloyed support is given to them by all
Ghanaians. Now to the final group stage (REVENGE) match against Uruguay.”