Black Stars coach Otto Addo has explained his decision to exclude Thomas Partey from Ghana’s 25-man squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Angola and Niger, revealing that the decision followed a private conversation aimed at protecting the player.
Despite being fit, Partey, the Arsenal midfielder and captain of the national team, was left out as a result of a mutual understanding between him and Addo.
“I had a confidential talk with Thomas. I am the coach who always wants to protect the players,” Addo told reporters, adding that the specifics of the discussion will remain private.
This development has led to a change in leadership within the Black Stars, with Jordan Ayew stepping in as the new captain.
Initially, Partey was set to lead the team in these crucial qualifiers, but with his absence, younger players such as Mohammed Kudus are expected to take on larger leadership responsibilities, although Addo emphasized Kudus would need time to develop in that role.
The squad features several top-tier European players, including Ayew, Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, and Fatawu Issahaku, while defenders Alexander Djiku and Ayew are part of the leadership group.
Notably, Monaco’s Mohammed Salisu will miss the qualifiers due to a hamstring injury, but Lorient’s Nathaniel Adjei returns to the team. Ibrahim Osman and Joseph Paintsil also make a comeback after missing the previous fixtures due to injury.
The Black Stars face a crucial double-header in their AFCON qualification campaign, first facing Angola away on November 15, 2024, followed by a home game against Niger on November 18 at the Accra Stadium. To keep their hopes alive, Ghana must win both matches and rely on Sudan failing to secure points in their remaining fixtures.
