Ghana FA confirm Partey decision ahead of World Cup qualifier

The Arsenal midfielder’s availability for Ghana’s trip to Ethiopia had been in doubt after suffering a groin injury.

The Ghana Football Association has confirmed Thomas Partey as one of three players who will not travel to Ethiopia for the Black Stars’ latest World Cup qualifier.

A groin injury sidelined the midfielder from Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Watford. He continues to be monitored in London and, therefore, hasn’t linked up with Milovan Rajevac’s side yet for the international break.

It’s likely Arsenal and Ghana don’t want to risk aggravating the injury until further notice. He could, though, still face South Africa on Sunday.

Final decision yet to be taken on Thomas Partey. His injury is still being assessed. He’s likely to miss Thursday’s game, but he might still fly out later this week ahead of the South Africa match on Sunday. Dialogue continuing with Ghana. pic.twitter.com/xg5r5TzKcI

— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) November 9, 2021

Who else is out?

Joining Partey on the sidelines are Columbus Crew defender Jonathan Mensah and Roma teenage forward Felix Afena-Gyan.

The Ghana FA has stated Afena-Gyan is ‘unavailable’ despite the 18-year-old joining the national team recently, while Mensah is injured.

24-man Black Stars squad

Goalkeepers: Joseph Wollacott (Swindon Town), Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St.Gallen), Manaf Nurudeen (Eupen), Richard Attah (Hearts of Oak)

Defenders: Andy Yiadom (Reading FC), Philemon Baffour (Dreams FC), Baba Abdul Rahman (Reading FC), Montari Kamaheni (Ashdod), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Alexander Djiku (Strasbourg), Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo), Ismail Abdul Ganiyu (Asante Kotoko)

Midfielders: Baba Idrissu (Real Mallorca), Mubarak Wakaso (Shenzhen F.C), Edmund Addo (Sheriff Tiraspol), Mohammed Kudus (Ajax Amsterdam), Daniel Kofi Kyere (FC St. Pauli)

Wingers: Andre Ayew (Al Sadd), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Dreams FC), Kamal Deen Sulemana (Rennes), Samuel Owusu (Al Fayha)

Strikers: Richmond Boakye-Yiadom (Beitar Jerusalem), Caleb Ekuban (Genoa)

Ghana kicked off preparations for their World Cup qualifiers by thrashing Division One League side Golden Kick 5-1 in a friendly on Monday.