Kamaldeen Sulemana: Setbacks and potential—what is next after the Ajax dream fades?

“Sometimes you keep trying, and there is definitely going to be a brighter day.” These were the words of a 17-year-old Kamaldeen Sulemana—a kid brimming with ambition. “I want to be the greatest player in the world,” he boldly declared.

Picture a young Lionel Messi at Barcelona’s youth academy, speaking to the media about the hero status he aspired to achieve in football. In the same vein, Sulemana, with the bravado typical of a young footballer, seized the moment to share his dreams.

The indicators were clear: one day, he would be among the best in the world—a dream most footballers would chase without hesitation. Sulemana’s panache on the ball ruthlessly left opponents gasping for breath. He was quick, possessed excellent ball retention, and had a keen, almost insatiable hunger for goals.

“When I first saw him, he was tiny but very good. I watched one of his games, and from the way he played, I knew he was special. So I sought out his parents and got their approval to take him under my wing,” said Coach Yaroma, the man who discovered him.

From the beginning, it was obvious: Sulemana was a talent destined for greatness. Even when illness kept him from earlier trials, he did not miss the final one when the Right to Dream Academy came for their third visit to Wenchi, his hometown.

A Move to Ajax That Never Happened

Before Ajax came knocking with a loan offer on deadline day to replace the departing Steven Bergwijn, who was heading to Saudi Arabia, there had already been interest in 2021.

At that time, Marc Overmars, then Sporting Director of Ajax, flew to Farum Park (home of FC Nordsjaelland) to scout a red-hot Sulemana. Brimming with confidence, Sulemana requested an immediate starting role under Erik ten Hag’s well-established Ajax setup. In the end, Stade Rennes won the race for his signature.

The Rise at Rennes
“He’s unbelievable, and he will continue to be an unbelievable player. Once he settles down, he’ll be world-class,” said Tom Vernon, Founder of the Right to Dream Academy.

Sulemana’s time at Rennes was nothing short of spectacular. On his competitive debut, the 19-year-old only needed 14 minutes to score; setting up what many, thought was the beginning of a storied career in France. Goal.com hailed him as a star, the headlines wrote themselves: “Kamaldeen ahead of Messi and Mbappé – Ghana teenager’s fine Ligue 1 start.”

Sulemana was exceptional—cataclysmic, even. Deft touches and dazzling footwork defined his style on the grand stage.

“Kamaldeen Sulemana becomes the youngest player to score a double in Ligue 1 since Ousmane Dembélé,” French journalist Pierre Lejolivet posted after he netted twice for Rennes against Clermont Foot.

The Nordsjaelland Days

But to truly understand Kamaldeen’s journey, we must rewind the clock to 2020 at FC Nordsjaelland. A young Ghanaian boy, fresh off the plane, stepping into a new world in Denmark. The culture shock was real, the environment unfamiliar. However, he was not alone. Mohammed Kudus, another Right to Dream graduate, had already blazed the trail, leaving footprints that Sulemana could follow.

In no time, Sulemana’s performances earned him accolades. He was voted Young Player of the Month and Best Player of the Month in April during his first season. He became a player everyone was watching—a blend of skill, creativity, and excitement. At that point, he was flying high, seemingly on top of the world.

What Went Wrong?

But then, the unthinkable happened. Injuries crept in, like shadows slowly engulfing his bright future.

“I’d like to be on the pitch and in the locker room, doing what I love. I cannot be satisfied. This is the first time I’ve been stopped for so long in my professional career,” Sulemana said, reflecting on his struggles.

“I didn’t have any problems when I was in Denmark. This injury has lasted longer than expected. It’s been a bit of a roller-coaster.”

“At the start of the injury, after two weeks, I felt good. I thought I could be back soon. You start running again, you come back to the field, and then you feel the pain. You work hard, do whatever it takes to come back, and the pain comes back again,” he told Stade Rennais media.

Sulemana’s journey hit an agonizing standstill. What once seemed destined for the stars was now stymied by the cruel hand of fate.

He was not alone in this struggle. Many greats have been plagued by the same fate—Tomáš Rosický at Arsenal, Ousmane Dembélé at Barcelona—players whose potential was drained by the relentless grip of injuries.

Southampton Struggles

Now at Southampton, Sulemana continues to wrestle with these demons. His moments of brilliance have been fleeting—like when he netted a brace against Liverpool on the final day of the 2022/2023 Premier League season, only for Southampton to be relegated to the Championship.

Many like my self-believed the Championship would offer Sulemana a chance to rediscover his form. But the situation remained unchanged. Now, with Southampton back in the Premier League after just a year, the spotlight is once again on Kamaldeen.

On the Road to Amsterdam: What Could Have Been?

The buzz around Ghanaian football circles was electrifying when Sulemana’s imminent transfer to Ajax Amsterdam was rumoured. While several Ghanaian talents have recently secured moves to various European clubs—highlighted by the high-profile transfers of David Oduro from Accra Lions to Barcelona Athletic and Abdul Aziz Issah from Dreams FC— but Sulemana’s move to Ajax was the one everyone anticipated.

At 22 years old, a switch to Ajax could be the perfect opportunity for Sulemana to reignite his career. The Dutch Eredivisie, renowned for its “Total Football” philosophy, is a league that doesn’t just demand tactical intelligence but nurtures it, making it an ideal environment for players seeking to rediscover their form and potential.

Historically, the Eredivisie has been a breeding ground for young talents, offering them a platform to flourish. Sulemana, too, is looking for his “redemption”—a chance to reclaim the promise that once had Europe’s biggest clubs vying for his signature.

Under the guidance of current Ajax manager Francesco Farioli, known for his exceptional track record in player development, Sulemana could have found the perfect mentor. Farioli’s ability to nurture young talents is well documented, with recent success stories like Carlos Borges benefiting from his approach. Sulemana could have found the perfect mentor to help him regain his footing. However, this move never materialized.

The Pressing Question: What’s Next for Sulemana?
Now, the pressing question: will this be his season? Can Sulemana finally break free from the chains of injury and fulfil the promise he once showed? Only time will tell, but for now, his journey remains one of untapped potential, marred by setbacks that have yet to be overcome.