Arsenal and Black Stars icon Thomas Partey is confident he will be back in action before Ghana’s international friendlies.
The Black Stars of Ghana will play against Brazil and Nicaragua on Friday, September 23, at Stade Oceane in Le Harve- France and Nicaragua at Estadio Francisco Artes Carrasco in Lorca, Spain on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 respectively.
Thomas Partey has been down with a thigh injury but he is reported to be recovering well, and could be in shape to make the Arsenal squad for Sunday’s clash against Everton.
Black Stars Squad
Meanwhile, the Black Stars Coach Otto Addo has released a 29-man squad for the two upcoming international friendly games. The friendlies are part of preparations for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar later this year.
The list includes 5 foreign based debutants; Tariq Lamptey (Brighton), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Stephan Ambrosius (Karlsruher), Ransford-Yeboah Konigsdorffer and Mohammed Salisu (Southampton),
Afriyie Barnieh, the promising Hearts of Oak winger is the only Ghana-based player named in the squad.
Those who could not make the list for September friendlies
- Joseph Paintsil
The multipurpose winger started the season in great shape for his club Genk in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League. He has scored 3 goals and provided 1 assist in the seven matches he has played this season. Paintsil also played as a support striker and on the wings.
- Edmund Addo
Edmund Addo is suited to playing either as an anchor man or a box-to-box midfielder.
He was part of the Black Stars team during the Afcon in Cameroon and in the Afcon 2023 qualifiers. The aggressive midfielder recently joined Red Star Belgrade from Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol.
- Mubarak Wakaso
Wakaso has played very little competitive football after battling with a knee injury.
He last featured for the Black Stars during the Kirin Cup in Japan. He has currently secured a move to Eupen in the Jupiler Pro league in Belgium.
The veteran midfielder has served the national team since 2012.
- Jeffrey Schlupp
Schlupp can play in at least five different positions but could not make the list for the friendlies.
The absence of Schlupp from the Black Stars remains a mystery in the team’s recent outings. Since his return from injury last season, he has played almost every game for Crystal Palace.
- Majeed Ashimeru
The mercurial midfielder has not been lucky as far as fitness is concerned.
Some of his best runs as a player for club side Anderlecht have been truncated by injury and this season has been more of the same. His ability to create, score and hold up play makes him one of those players Otto Addo needs to keep an eye on.
- Jonathan Mensah
Jonathan Mensah has become one of those who goes about his business with minimum fuss but the glut of options available in Ghana’s central defensive position means the technical team is planning on trying a few new partnerships and scenarios.
He is a steady presence for both Ghana and Club side Columbus Crew. His leadership and consistency for his club side have led to some major silverware in recent times.
- Andy Yiadom
The fullback has earned the position of Reading FC captain but could not help him to make the list for the friendlies. This is surprising because he has been called up consistently by Ghana’s last three managers.
- Abdul Mumin
Mumin recently joined Spanish La Liga side Rayo Vallecano. The young and robust centre back has struggled to break into the Black Star team despite spells at the 2021 Afcon and a host of Afcon and World Cup qualifiers.
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