Ghana’s national team head coach, Otto Addo, has given his reasons for the surprise omission of Thomas Partey from the Black Stars’ 25-man squad list for their upcoming matches in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this month, Afrosport reports.
The Black Stars will face Angola and Niger Republic within three days and must win both games to have a shot at qualifying for the AFCON finals in Morocco next year.
Addo has confidently defended his choice to drop Partey, with the 49-year-old stating that the decision emerged after a talk with the Arsenal midfielder despite rumours of a possible row between the both of them.
“I had a confidential talk with Thomas [Partey],” Addo stated. “I am a coach who always like to protect the players, so I hope for your understanding.
“For me, the team is like family, I am not coming out with internal issues – but I made it quite clear to him. He wanted to come, but I made it quite clear why he is not coming.
The former Ghana international acknowledged the difficulty that came with taking the decision, adding that the details of his discussion with Partey will remain confidential and the 31-year-old could return to his selection in the future.
“Like I said, it’s confidential,” the former Borussia Dortmund assistant manager said. “It is difficult for me to say all the things. It’s like that. We have to move on.
“Now, as you know, Thomas is not coming as it’s not a permanent thing so we are always open for him to return.
“I hope that the things we talked that [about], he will do better in that; he will join the team in the next window in March. I think he has a good perspective. We had a good talk and we are on good terms.”
The Black Stars will face Palancas Negras of Angola in Luanda on Friday, November 15, before hosting Niger at Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, November 18.
Addo’s men currently sit third in Group F with two points, five behind second-placed Sudan and 10 behind leaders Angola.
