Ghana and Atalanta have been dealt a major setback after exciting Black Stars winger Kamaldeen Sulemana suffered a serious knee injury that could keep him out of action for up to three months.
The 24-year-old speedster sustained the injury during Atalanta’s preseason friendly against German side Schalke 04 on August 8. Sulemana had entered the game after halftime but was forced off shortly afterwards with a problem to his left knee. Atalanta went on to win the encounter 3-0.
Further medical examinations delivered the news both club and country feared. Atalanta confirmed that Sulemana suffered a second-degree injury to the medial collateral ligament in his left knee, with the Ghanaian forward beginning a rehabilitation program as he starts the long road back to full fitness.
Reports in Ghana indicate the explosive attacker could spend between two and three months on the sidelines, potentially keeping him out until around November or December depending on how quickly his rehabilitation progresses.
The timing could hardly be worse for Sulemana.
With the 2026/27 Italian football season approaching, the winger had been working to build his fitness and establish himself as an important attacking weapon for Atalanta. His devastating pace, dribbling ability and willingness to attack defenders one-on-one provide the Serie A side with a different dimension going forward.
Sulemana joined Atalanta permanently from Southampton in July 2025, adding Serie A and European football to a career that has also taken him through FC Nordsjælland, Stade Rennais and English football.
His absence could also create serious concerns for Ghana, with the Black Stars potentially having to negotiate upcoming international assignments without one of their most dangerous wide players. Reports suggest the injury could rule him out of Ghana’s opening matches in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
For Kamaldeen, the focus now shifts from flying past defenders to winning a very different battle — recovery.
Ghanaian fans will be hoping the electrifying winger responds strongly to rehabilitation and returns to the pitch firing on all cylinders.
For now, Atalanta and the Black Stars must prepare for life without one of Ghana’s quickest attacking weapons.
