Ghana head coach Otto Addo has addressed the omission of midfielder Thomas Partey from his squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, revealing that the decision was made despite Partey’s desire to be included. The Arsenal star has been left out for the second consecutive time, with Addo emphasizing that the reasons behind the exclusion are confidential, though he refrained from disclosing any specifics.
Partey, who has been a key figure in Arsenal’s midfield, has continued to perform at a high level in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League this season. He has featured in all of the Gunners’ matches, most recently playing the full 90 minutes in their 2-1 win over Inter Milan. Given his fitness and match sharpness, Partey’s absence from the Ghana squad has raised questions, especially since he was previously ruled out in September due to illness.
Despite Partey’s current availability for club duties, the Ghanaian manager has chosen to leave him out of the squad for the crucial qualifiers against Angola and Niger later this month. In his public statement, Addo acknowledged that Partey had expressed a strong desire to be part of the team. However, the Ghana coach made it clear that the decision was based on private matters and that it was not related to the midfielder’s fitness or his commitment to the national team.
Addo took care to maintain a diplomatic tone during his explanation, describing the situation as a “confidential” issue that he preferred not to elaborate on. He emphasized the importance of protecting players and respecting internal team dynamics. “I am a coach who always likes to protect the players, so I hope for your understanding,” Addo said. “The team is like family to me, and I prefer not to bring out internal matters in public.”
Although the reasons behind Partey’s exclusion remain unclear, Addo assured the public that the decision was not permanent. He also clarified that the door would remain open for Partey to return to the squad in future international windows, specifically the March qualifiers. Addo expressed confidence that their recent conversation had been constructive, with both sides understanding the situation and agreeing to move forward positively.
“We had a good talk, and I believe that Thomas has a good perspective on the matter,” Addo stated. “I’m sure he will work on the things we discussed, and I hope he can return to the team when the next international window comes around.”
This situation adds to the growing intrigue surrounding the Ghana national team, as Addo’s choices regarding key players like Partey are closely followed by fans and the media. Ghana’s AFCON qualifiers are critical, and the squad selection has been a topic of much discussion, especially with the Black Stars looking to strengthen their chances of qualifying for the tournament.
For Partey, the absence from the national team represents a temporary setback, but it also raises questions about the internal workings of the Ghana squad and the relationship between the player and coaching staff. As the qualifiers progress, it will be interesting to see how the team fares without one of its most influential players and whether Partey will indeed be reinstated in the future, as Addo suggested. For now, the situation remains fluid, and both parties seem focused on resolving any underlying issues privately, with hopes of a positive reunion down the line.
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