West Ham’s standout player, Mohammed Kudus, has been navigating a whirlwind of controversy lately, including a public fallout with a football commentator in Ghana and tensions with manager Julen Lopetegui at the London Stadium. His demeanour following his goal in the 4-1 victory over Ipswich Town last week seemed more one of relief than celebration, as he sat with slumped shoulders on the ball boy’s stool, showcasing his trademark reaction.

As Ghana’s key performer on the international stage, Kudus is under additional scrutiny as the national team risks failing to qualify from their group, facing criticism back home. This pressure is compounded by superstitions surrounding his new No. 10 shirt.

According to a report from Footboom.com titled “Top Coach Advocates for Growth Mindset to Combat Kudus’ No. 10 Superstitions,” there are claims that the shirt is ‘cursed’ following his unexpected missed chance against Sudan. ESPN Africa even shared a video of a fan attributing Kudus’ miss to the superstition linked to the No. 10 jersey.

Footboom explains that the shirt, previously worn by Andre Ayew, holds significant cultural value in Ghanaian football. The No. 10 jersey are traditionally reserved for the standout player, and expectations are high for Kudus, who is viewed as one of Ghana’s brightest emerging talents.

The report emphasizes the importance of addressing the psycho-social aspects of this pressure. Managing external expectations, especially regarding Kudus’ No. 10 shirt is crucial, as the burden to perform can lead to unfair associations with superstition.

As Ghana prepares to face Sudan again in Libya, Kudus will undoubtedly feel the weight of expectations while wearing the ‘ten’ shirt. He will likely look forward to returning to London, where he dons his claret and blue ‘uncursed’ No. 14 shirt, as the British media offers a welcome respite.