Following Simon’s earlier piece regarding criticism levelled at the Black Stars – Ghana’s national side- following their recent zero-one defeat, there is more emerging concerning the criticism levelled specifically at one of West Ham’s ‘Crown Jewels’.
Putting it in contextm this is not the first time that high profile figures in Africa have criticised their Premier League performers. Mohammed Kudus looked as if he was trying to carry the whole team on his back, apparently, in their most recent defeat but was still criticised for holding onto the ball too long and not playing as well as he does in the Premier League.
Ghana National site Graphic On Line covered the persistent critique offered by one notorious, persistent thorn in Kudus’ side:
“Black Stars midfielder Mohammed Kudus expressed his frustration after enduring persistent criticism from Frank Kwaku Appiah, popularly known as ‘Appiah Stadium’, a well-known member of the National Democratic Congress “
The West Ham United player found himself in an exchange with said ‘Appiah Stadium’ at the International Airport, while preparing to fly with the Black Stars to Morocco for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger. The report continues:
Kudus had stopped to take photos with excited airport staff when Appiah Stadium, who was present at the scene, began criticizing the player, accusing him of underperforming for the national team compared to his club performances.
Initially, Kudus ignored the remarks, focusing on the fans. However, as the negative comments persisted, Kudus eventually replied, asking (with a sense of irony) ,’ If ‘Appiah Stadium’ needed the goals more than him.’
Despite pleas from airport staff and onlookers urging Appiah Stadium to stop harassing the footballer, the criticisms continued. Kudus, visibly frustrated, soon left to rejoin his teammates and coaching staff as they departed for Morocco.
Whilst nobody wants to see players harassed by so-called journalists, it is clear from the video posted that Kudus is visibly irked and cares deeply about the performance of his national side and the criticism levelled at him. Ghana next play Niger on Monday in their second qualifier for the Africa Cup of Nations. For Kudus’ sake let’s hope they improve and qualify. A competition without Kudus’s sparkle would be a less attractive spectacle for the world to watch.
F*ck the World, mate. I’d rather he stay here and played for West Ham and they don’t qualify.
No wonder the attitude around our club has been of making do and zero winning mentality FOR WEST HAM.
Do you think other fans and top coach’s care a damn what ‘the world’ think about their players?
No and that’s why they’re successful and we have only one cup in 40+ years. I cannot imagine David Moyes caring either. All he cared about was the wins of the team he managed. Same as Klopp, Pep, Emery et al
Knowing the nutters in these African Nations – and it seems even Ghana have gone down the toxic journalist/social media route these days, we need to keep Kudus safe and away from some nutter with a gun. If he never played for his country again I’d be happy. West Ham come first. Always.