Ghana head coach Otto Addo has explained the reason behind the exclusion of Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey from the squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Angola and Niger.
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The decision raised eyebrows, as Partey has been a key player for the Black Stars, but Addo clarified that it was a carefully considered move.
In an announcement regarding the squad, Addo shared that he had a private conversation with Partey before making the decision. “I had a confidential talk with Thomas,” said the Ghanaian coach. “As a coach, I always want to protect my players, so I hope for your understanding.”
The coach emphasized that the Black Stars are like family, and while internal matters remain private, he wanted to make it clear to Partey why he wasn’t selected for this particular round of qualifiers. “He wanted to come, he wanted to come, but I made it quite clear why he is not coming,” Addo explained, hinting that the reasons were personal and not necessarily related to Partey’s performance or fitness.
Although Addo refused to elaborate on the specifics of the conversation, he reassured fans that this decision was not a permanent one. “It’s not a permanent thing,” he said, signaling that the door is still open for Partey to rejoin the squad in the future. The coach expressed hope that the discussions would lead to positive changes and that Partey would be ready to return for Ghana’s next round of qualifiers in March. “We had a good talk, and we are on good terms,” he added.
Despite his absence from this squad, the relationship between Partey and Addo appears to remain strong, with both men sharing a mutual understanding of the situation. For now, Ghana will focus on their qualifiers, while Partey works on the areas discussed with his coach, potentially making his return in the next window.