Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey has been left out of the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola and Niger. The decision was made by coach Otto Addo, who did not disclose the reasons behind Partey’s omission. Addo expressed hope that Partey would rejoin the team for the next international window in March for the World Cup qualifying matches. Partey, who has scored 13 goals in 49 international appearances, will be missed by the team as they aim to secure their spot in the tournament.
In another decision, Leicester City forward Jordan Ayew has been named as the new captain of the team, replacing West Ham United midfielder Mohamed Kudus. Kudus led the Black Stars in the previous qualifiers against Sudan, where the team earned just one point. This poor performance has put Ghana in danger of missing the finals for the first time since 2004. With just two points from four Group F matches, Ghana must secure wins against Angola and Niger to have any hope of qualifying for the 2025 tournament in Morocco.
Ghana, the third most successful country in the AFCON with four titles, faces a tough challenge in the upcoming qualifiers. They must defeat leaders Angola in an away match on Friday and secure a win against Niger three days later to have any chance of overtaking second-placed Sudan and qualifying for the tournament. Meanwhile, Sudan only needs one point from their matches against Niger and Angola to secure qualification, despite having to play their home matches outside their country due to a civil war. The pressure is on Ghana to deliver strong performances and secure the wins they need to keep their hopes alive.
The absence of Thomas Partey in the squad adds additional challenges for Ghana as they prepare for the crucial qualifiers. Partey’s experience and goal-scoring ability will be missed by the team, who will need to rely on other players to step up and deliver strong performances. With the new captain Jordan Ayew leading the team, Ghana will look to regroup and come back stronger after their disappointing performances against Sudan in the previous qualifiers. The upcoming matches against Angola and Niger will be a test of their determination and ability to secure the wins they need to qualify for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Coach Otto Addo’s decision to omit Thomas Partey from the squad has raised questions among fans and analysts, as the midfielder has been a key player for both Arsenal and the national team. However, Addo’s reasons for the omission remain confidential, leaving fans to speculate on the possible factors behind the decision. As Ghana prepares for the make-or-break qualifiers, they will need to focus on the task at hand and work together as a team to overcome the challenges they face. With the support of their fans and the determination to succeed, Ghana will aim to secure the wins they need to keep their hopes of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations alive.
