The Ghana Football Association announced that midfielder Thomas Partey will not join the national team for games against Sudan due to medical reasons, specifically an illness—not an injury. Journalist Charles Watts reported that this decision was made as a precaution following Partey’s extensive participation in matches for Arsenal. Alongside Partey, three other players have also withdrawn, prompting the selection of replacements for the squad.
On October 7, 2024, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) announced an update regarding the roster of players selected for the Black Stars’ upcoming matches against Sudan. Notably, Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey will not be participating in these fixtures. Despite initial concerns, the GFA attributed Partey’s absence to medical reasons rather than an injury. According to their statement, “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.” Charles Watts, a journalist specializing in Arsenal coverage, clarified the situation, revealing that Partey is not dealing with an injury but is experiencing an illness. He confirmed that although this illness is not severe, both Arsenal and the GFA mutually decided that it would be best for Partey to take time off to recuperate after his considerable involvement in matches this season. “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,” Watts noted. In addition to Partey, three other players—Joseph Paintsil, Kingsley Schindler, and Ibrahim Osman—have also withdrawn from the squad. To fill the vacancies, coach Otto Addo has extended invitations to Francis Abu from Cercle Brugge, Ibrahim Sadiq from AZ Alkmaar, and Jonas Adjetey Adjei. The first leg of the matchup against Sudan will take place at the Accra Sports Stadium on October 10, 2024.
The Ghana Football Association is responsible for managing the national football team, the Black Stars, and orchestrating their participation in international competitions. The periodic international breaks offer opportunities for national team players to compete in matches representing their countries. However, player health is paramount, and the GFA frequently evaluates the condition of its athletes. This recent instance regarding Thomas Partey highlights the ongoing considerations between a player’s club obligations and national team commitments, especially when health-related issues arise.
In conclusion, Thomas Partey’s withdrawal from the Ghana national team for the upcoming matches against Sudan results from medical considerations rather than an injury. The collaborative decision by Arsenal and the Ghana Football Association underscores the importance placed on athlete health. With a total of four players withdrawing from the squad, the GFA has adapted by calling up new players to ensure a competitive lineup for the upcoming fixtures. The match is set to take place on October 10, 2024, at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
