Absence of Thomas Partey Hinders Black Stars Against Sudan, Says Kwadwo Twum Boafo

Kwadwo Twum Boafo has stated that the absence of Thomas Partey due to illness was a significant factor in the Black Stars’ disappointing performances against Sudan in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. He believes that Partey’s leadership and control in midfield would have improved Ghana’s chances of success, particularly in light of their poor results that jeopardize their AFCON qualification.

Kwadwo Twum Boafo, a prominent sports commentator and a member of the National Democratic Congress, has expressed that the absence of team captain Thomas Partey significantly hindered the performance of the Black Stars during their matches against Sudan in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Boafo, who previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, believes that Partey’s presence, as a key midfielder for Arsenal, would have greatly enhanced Ghana’s chances of securing favorable outcomes in both encounters. In a discussion with GhanaWeb, Boafo emphasized that the Black Stars were noticeably weaker without Partey, who provides essential leadership and midfield control. He argued that while players like Elisha Owusu and Ibrahim Sulemana have potential, they do not possess the same level of skill and influence that Partey brings to the game. “I think Partey was a big miss. We passed the ball around quite well, but we lacked the control and mentality Partey brings, and I think that was a big reason we couldn’t beat the Sudanese,” he stated. Thomas Partey had to withdraw from these matches due to an illness following an Arsenal game against Southampton. Consequently, the Black Stars managed only a draw against Sudan at home and suffered a defeat in the away match in Libya on October 15. As a result, Ghana finds itself on the verge of missing the AFCON tournament for the first time in two decades.

The Black Stars of Ghana faced Sudan in crucial qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Regrettably, the team was unable to secure victories in either match, which has raised concerns about their qualification potential for this prestigious tournament. Thomas Partey, a key player and captain of the team, was absent due to illness, which many analysts believe played a pivotal role in the team’s disappointing performance.

In summary, Kwadwo Twum Boafo’s assessment highlights the critical influence of Thomas Partey on the Black Stars’ performance. His absence was felt profoundly in both matches, leading to unfavorable results that have put Ghana’s chances of competing in the Africa Cup of Nations in jeopardy. Boafo’s observations serve as an important reminder of the impact that key players have on team dynamics and outcomes in high-stakes scenarios.

Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com