Black Stars forward Kamaldeen Sulemana has been ruled out for up to three months after suffering a second-degree tear to the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his left knee.
The Atalanta attacker sustained the injury during a pre-season friendly against German side Schalke 04 on Saturday, August 8, 2026. The 24-year-old was substituted just 10 minutes after entering the pitch and went straight down the tunnel.
Following medical examinations, Atalanta released an official statement confirming the severity of the injury:
“Medical examinations carried out on Kamaldeen Sulemana following the injury sustained during the Schalke 04 v Atalanta match have revealed a grade-two medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury to his left knee. The player will begin his rehabilitation programme tomorrow.”
The injury comes as a major setback during preparations for the 2026–27 season. Sulemana, who joined Atalanta from Southampton in 2025, has made 25 appearances and scored two goals for the Italian club.
With an expected return timeline set for November, Sulemana is set to miss Ghana’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches starting in September, where the Black Stars are drawn in Group C alongside The Gambia, Somalia, and Ivory Coast.