The Ghana Football Association announced that midfielder Thomas Partey will miss the upcoming matches against Sudan due to a non-injury related illness. Journalist Charles Watts clarified that the decision to rest Partey was taken as a precaution after his heavy involvement in recent games. This development comes alongside the withdrawal of three other players from the squad.
On October 7, 2024, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) announced its squad for the upcoming matches against Sudan, revealing the notable omission of midfielder Thomas Partey. The association cited “medical reasons” for Partey’s withdrawal, stating, “Thomas is unable to join the Black Stars due to medical issues he is currently experiencing, and his club has scheduled him for further tests in the coming days.” UK journalist Charles Watts, who specializes in Arsenal coverage, provided further clarity on Partey’s condition. He confirmed that Partey is not suffering from an injury but is dealing with an illness that is not serious. Both Arsenal and the GFA concurred that, in light of Partey’s extensive involvement in matches this season, it is prudent for him to rest during the international break. Watts noted, “Thomas Partey is staying with Arsenal during the international break. Understand he has been suffering a bit of illness (not an injury) and so it has been agreed he should rest up for a bit after playing so many minutes this season. Purely precaution.” Partey is among four players who have withdrawn from the national team for the Sudan fixtures scheduled on October 10 and 14. Other absentees include Joseph Paintsil, Kingsley Schindler, and Ibrahim Osman. To address these withdrawals, Coach Otto Addo has called up Cercle Brugge’s Francis Abu, AZ Alkmaar’s Ibrahim Sadiq, and Jonas Adjetey Adjei to the squad. The first leg of the encounters will take place at the Accra Sports Stadium on October 10, 2024.
The Ghana Football Association periodically releases updates regarding player selections for international matches. In the context of international breaks, it is common for clubs and national teams to coordinate regarding the health and availability of players. Thomas Partey, an integral player for both Arsenal and the Ghana national team, was expected to participate in matches against Sudan. However, his absence highlights the careful consideration regarding player welfare, particularly in light of physical conditions that may not be injuries but still warrant rest.
In summary, Thomas Partey has withdrawn from the Ghana squad for upcoming matches against Sudan due to a non-serious illness, as confirmed by the Ghana Football Association and UK journalist Charles Watts. This decision, made collaboratively by Arsenal and the GFA, is a precautionary measure reflecting the player’s extensive minutes played this season. Other withdrawals accompanied Partey’s, leading to the inclusion of new players in the squad for the matches.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
