Thomas Partey Withdraws from Ghana Squad: UK Journalist Clarifies Medical Reason

The Ghana Football Association announced the withdrawal of Thomas Partey from the national team due to medical reasons, with journalist Charles Watts clarifying that he is dealing with a mild illness rather than an injury. Partey is one of four players absent, prompting new selections for the matches against Sudan.

On October 7, 2024, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) announced the roster for the Black Stars’ upcoming matches against Sudan, revealing that Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey would not be participating. The GFA cited medical reasons for his 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.” Renowned UK journalist Charles Watts, who covers Arsenal, clarified the situation surrounding Partey. According to Watts, the midfielder is not suffering from an injury but is dealing with a mild illness. He emphasized that, while the illness is not severe, both Arsenal and the GFA have mutually decided it would be prudent for Partey to rest after his extensive involvement in matches this season. Watts stated, “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 Partey is among four players who have withdrawn from the squad for the matches scheduled for October 10 and 14, along with Joseph Paintsil, Kingsley Schindler, and Ibrahim Osman. In light of these absences, coach Otto Addo has called up Francis Abu from Cercle Brugge, Ibrahim Sadiq from AZ Alkmaar, and Jonas Adjetey Adjei to fill the gaps in the squad. The first leg of the tie is set to take place at the Accra Sports Stadium on October 10, 2024.

The recent announcements from the GFA regarding player selections for international matches are key in understanding team dynamics, player health, and strategic decisions leading up to competitions. Thomas Partey’s absence from the Ghana squad is viewed within the context of ongoing concerns about player fitness and the implications of absences on team performance. The decision for Partey not to join the squad stems from an agreement between his club and the national team, reflecting an increasingly cautious approach towards player welfare, particularly for those who have been heavily utilized in their respective leagues.

In summary, Thomas Partey has officially withdrawn from the Ghana national team due to health-related issues that are not classified as an injury. His decision, supported by both Arsenal and the GFA for the purpose of precautionary rest, underscores the importance of player health management in competitive sports. Other players have also been ruled out, leading to new selections for the upcoming matches against Sudan, suggesting a need for adaptability within the squad.

Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com