Mohammed Kudus has hit the ground running at Spurs, adapting quickly and emerging with a stunning record since joining the English club in early July this year.

He notched his first goal and provided his fourth assist during his side’s clash with Leeds at Elland Road on Saturday, October 4.

Just twenty-three minutes into the game, Kudus passed the ball to Mathys Tel, whose deflected shot gave Spurs the lead.

Leeds equalised Spurs’ lead in the 34th minute through Noah Okafor. However, after twenty-three (23) minutes, Kudus notched a goal in the 57th minute with a superb finish from the edge of the box, restoring his team’s lead.

Reacting to Kudus form, former Man Utd forward and the club’s all-time leading goal scorer Rooney, speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day, noted that Kudus currently sits atop list of players with the most assist in the 2025/2026 season. Though on-loan Jack Grealish who is currently playing till season end at Everton from Man City, also has four assist, Kudus sits as top assist provider in Rooney’s books due to his permanency at Tottenham.

Rooney said, “He’s got four assists, which is joint-highest in the Premier League right now, and by far the most successful dribbles. All that was missing was the goal, and I think that strike today will push him to the next level,” he added.

Rooney also admitted that Mohammed Kudus since joining Spurs on July 10 in a £55 million transfer from West Ham United has become “a breath of fresh air” highlighting his successful dribbles, finishing and accuracy.

“I think he’s been a breath of fresh air. When you look at the stats from today’s game against Leeds, he’s first in every category: duels won, successful dribbles, shots, touches in the opposition box, and sprints. He’s had a real impact for Tottenham this season,” the England legend added.

Kudus will now turn his attention to international duty, as he joins the Ghana national team ahead of their decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against the Central African Republic and Comoros later this month.

Black Stars are set to pitch their camp in Morocco for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Central African Republic (CAR), slated for October 8.

Black Stars, who were originally scheduled to assemble and camp in Accra, will now head straight to Morocco. The change in plans, according to the Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, during an appearance on Woezor TV, is to allow the players more recovery time and to avoid logistical challenges.

The four-time African champions need just four points from the two fixtures to secure their ticket to next year’s tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

After failing to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Ghanaian attacking midfielder and Tottenham Hotspur star Mohammed Kudus has expressed optimism about the Black Stars’ chances of qualifying for the World Cup. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Kudus said the squad, including himself, is heading in the right direction and will do everything possible to secure qualification.

“We have to qualify at all costs. I think we are on the right path now. Obviously, AFCON is also one of the major tournaments that the country loves and wants to participate in. Not qualifying was a big disappointment, but I think the full focus now is on the World Cup qualifiers,” Kudus said.

He highlighted that the current Black Stars squad are competent enough to replicate and even go beyond what their predecessors did about a decade and a half ago when they sailed through to the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup tournament.

“2010, we went all the way to the quarterfinals. And I believe this squad can even do more than that. But first we have to qualify, and then we can focus on the tournament itself.”

For the 25-year-old, representing Ghana goes beyond sport, carrying deep personal pride.

“I think you represent your country like a one-time thing. That’s the one with the biggest emotion and feeling for me. It means a lot wearing that jersey with a lot of pride,” he added.

Also, Ghana’s head coach, Otto Addo, has finalised his squad for the double-header. He released the squad list yesterday, October 2, with the official list . Following the clash with CAR, the Black Stars will return to Accra to host Comoros at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 12, in their final qualifier.

Full Squad Overview

Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati Zigi (St. Gallen), Benjamin Asare (Hearts of Oak), Joseph Anang (St. Patrick’s Athletic)

Defenders: Alexander Djiku (Spartak Moscow), Mohammed Salisu (AS Monaco), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Alidu Seidu (Clermont Foot), Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjælland), Kojo Peprah Oppong (OGC Nice)

Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Villarreal CF), Mohammed Kudus (Tottenham Hotspur), Elisha Owusu (Auxerre), Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo), Prince Owusu (Medeama SC)

Forwards: Inaki Williams (Athletic Club), Antoine Semenyo (AFC Bournemouth), Joseph Paintsil (LA Galaxy), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atalanta), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City), Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al-Qadsiah)

Ghana currently lead Group I with 19 points and require a victory to confirm their fifth World Cup appearance.

The Ghana Black Stars have moved a rank higher in the latest FIFA ranking. This comes after their recent performances in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The team have climbed from 76th to 75th. The Black Stars, after two matches with Chad and Mali, respectively, still sit atop Group 1 with 19 points, despite drawing with Chad on September 4 at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno in N'Djamena.

However, they had a win in their clash with Mali. Black Stars led by a goal, securing for themselves three (3) extra points and a point from Chad’s draw.

Despite the global improvement, their standing in Africa remains unchanged, with the four-time African champions still ranked 14th on the continent.