Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Oluyemi Ogunseyin
Published on 2024-03-18 10:32:23
Ghana has announced that three key players, Thomas Partey, Joseph Painstil, and Inaki Williams, will not be available for the Black Stars’ upcoming international friendly match against Nigeria on March 22.
The head coach of the Black Stars, Otto Addo, recently revealed his 26-man squad for the friendly matches against Nigeria and Uganda. However, Partey, Williams, and Painstil were noticeably absent from the lineup. In a post on its official social media account, the Black Stars explained the reasons for their exclusion from the squad.
Joseph Painstil’s absence was attributed to his recent move to the United States, which necessitated additional immigration paperwork that must be completed before he can travel outside the country. As a result, he will be unable to join the team for the upcoming matches.
Thomas Partey, on the other hand, requested to be excused from the games in order to focus on regaining full fitness after suffering from recent injuries. The decision was made to ensure that he is fully prepared for future matches and avoids any potential setbacks.
Inaki Williams also opted to sit out the friendly games in order to take a break and fully recover from his recent injury struggles. The team management supported his decision to prioritize his health and well-being, allowing him the time needed to recuperate properly.
The friendly matches against Nigeria and Uganda, taking place in Marrakech, Morocco, will serve as the beginning of a new era under coach Otto Addo. The Super Eagles will be looking to seek revenge for their World Cup qualification disappointment in 2022, where Ghana prevented Nigeria from qualifying for the tournament in Qatar.
The Black Stars advanced on the away goals rule after a 1-1 aggregate draw with their West African rivals. With the absence of key players like Partey, Painstil, and Williams, Addo will be looking to test new strategies and give opportunities to other talented players in the squad.
As Ghana prepares to face Nigeria in the upcoming friendly match, the absence of these key players will undoubtedly be felt. However, it also presents an opportunity for other players to step up and showcase their abilities on the international stage. Otto Addo and the Black Stars will be aiming to make the most of the situation and continue their preparations for future competitions.
