Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has not been included in Ghana’s squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola and Niger, despite being fit.
The decision by head coach Otto Addo has raised questions, especially after Partey missed the two crucial games against Sudan in October due to personal reasons.
Partey, who was fit and available, expressed his desire to join the squad for the November fixtures, but Addo has opted not to include him.
“I had a confidential talk with Thomas. I am the coach who always wants to protect the players,” Addo said.
“The whole point for me was getting the understanding. I am not going to tell you the internal issues, but I made it quite clear to him; he wanted to come, but I made it quite clear why he’s not coming.”
“Like I said, it is confidential, so it’s difficult for me to mention all the things, so maybe we have to move on,” he added, implying that the issue is resolved.
The decision marks a further indication of growing tension between Partey and the national team setup. His absence from the Sudan games, where Ghana suffered a damaging blow to their AFCON qualification chances, was met with disappointment.
While the midfielder has often been a key player for Ghana, his recent exclusion suggests ongoing issues with team dynamics, as the coach prioritises squad cohesion and discipline moving forward.
Ghana will need to secure victories in both games and hope Sudan falter to qualify for the tournament in Morocco. Black Stars will play Angola on November 15 in Luanda and three days later take on Niger in Accra.
