Ghana coach Otto Addo has confirmed that West Ham United attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus will lead the Black Stars in their crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Sudan on Thursday.

During a pre-match interview on Wednesday evening, Addo announced that Kudus, 24, would serve as interim captain for the double-header in the absence of regular skipper Thomas Partey, who is sidelined due to illness.

Kudus, known for his exceptional performances at West Ham, is expected to spearhead Ghana's efforts as they look to secure a vital win in the first leg at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The return leg is set for October 14 at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Libya.

The Black Stars aim to finish in the top two of Group F to qualify for the 2025 AFCON tournament, scheduled to take place in Morocco from December 2025 to January 2026.