Renowned Ghanaian football legend Rev Osei Kofi has praised Mohammed Kudus, likening his talent and influence on the field to iconic players such as Lionel Messi and other Ghanaian greats.

Rev Kofi, reflecting on his own career and the roles of fellow legends Mohammed Polo and Abedi Pele, highlighted Kudus as a rare, generational talent.

“Some players are naturally talented,” Kofi said in the next episode of Prime Take with Muftawu Nabila Abdulai to be televised on Friday, June 28, 2024.

“Like [Lionel] Messi, when a team flops, he takes over to make things work. I was given that role by CK Gyamfi. Whenever the team flopped, I had to carry the team. We are about three of us who did that—myself, Polo, and Abedi.”

Kofi fondly remembered Polo’s synergy with the “fearsome five,” comprising strikers Peter Lamptey, Mahama Acquah, Anas Seidu, and Robert Hammond.

“Whenever Polo had the ball, the four would move, and he decided who to give the ball to. Such players are rare. After me, there was Polo who came. But now, we have someone like [Mohammed] Kudus. Players like that are generational talents.”

Emphasising the importance of recognizing and nurturing such talents, Rev Kofi pointed out a critical aspect of team dynamics.

“If the technical team were good enough, they would know this. You always have to build the team around an individual,” he said.

However, he noted a significant difference in the motivations of modern players compared to his era.

“We were amateurs; we played for the love of the game and for Ghana. But now, they are professionals, so they are playing for themselves to be bought.”

The first part Prime Take will now air every Friday at 7:30 am on the AM Show and Saturday at 7:30 PM with repeat on Sunday at 11 am on JoyNews.