Kudus: Ajax goalkeeper Onana on Ghana midfielder’s injury

Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper Andre Onana is backing team-mate Mohammed Kudus to make a stronger return to the pitch following a recent injury setback.

Ghana international Kudus has been confirmed out of action for “several months” after picking up a meniscus injury during his club’s recent Champions League group stage opener against Liverpool.

The injury was undoubtedly a big disappointment for the 20-year-old who was beginning to settle down at Johan Cruyff Arena following his summer transfer from Danish club Nordsjaelland.

"He's a tough guy. I spoke to him and explained that unfortunately, injuries are also part of football. He was very positive and promised to do everything he could to make a great return," Cameroon goalkeeper Onana, Ajax No.1 goalkeeper, said, as reported by Footballghana.

Kudus’ injury came just three days after scoring his debut goal for Ajax during a Dutch Eredivisie encounter with Heerenveen.

Against Liverpool, the attacker made his Champions League debut but saw his night ended as early as just the sixth minute after hurting his meniscus during a challenge with Liverpool’s Fabinho.

“Mohammed Kudus had to be subbed off after only six minutes vs Liverpool on Wednesday. Further examinations show that the 20-year-old has a meniscus injury that will keep him out for several months," Ajax announced on their official website after the fateful game.

"Kudus came to Ajax this summer and played four official matches so far."

Kudus’ injury situation means he will be unavailable for Ghana in their 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying double-header against Sudan in November.

It will be the second straight time he misses national duty due to injury after being denied clearance by Ajax to honour a Ghana call-up for friendly matches against Mali and Qatar in Turkey earlier this month.

The Accra-born player was snapped up by the Dutch giants in a five-year deal in July following a string of fine performances for Nordsjaelland in Denmark.

Last season, he netted 11 times in 25 league appearances to finish the term as The Wild Tigers’ top scorer.

So far at Ajax, he has scored once and provided three assists in five appearances in all competitions for Erik Ten Hag’s outfit.