Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, the assistant coach of the Black Stars, has offered insights into the exclusion of star midfielder Thomas Partey from Ghana’s final 27-man squad for the much-anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.
Despite a swift recovery from an injury sustained in October 2023, Thomas Partey’s absence from the squad stirred speculation and disappointment among fans who had hoped for his impactful presence in the continental showdown.
Contrary to expectations, Chris Hughton’s squad announcement did not feature the Arsenal midfielder, attributing the decision to lingering concerns over his fitness.
Didi Dramani, shedding light on the selection process, elucidated the intricacies that played a pivotal role in determining the fate of the 30-year-old maestro.
Emphasizing the importance of a player’s full fitness for the team’s benefit, he underscored the challenge posed by Partey’s anticipated late recovery.
“When you give that freedom to a player whenever you need him, he will be available for you.
With Partey’s problem, he will probably be fully fit late, and it could be towards the end of the tournament, and that won’t help the team,” explained Dramani in an audio broadcast on Wontumi FM.
Acknowledging the caliber of players like Thomas Partey and Tariq Lamptey, Didi Dramani expressed the ideal scenario of having them available five days before the tournament or for subsequent matches.
However, the exigencies of the situation led to a pragmatic decision, prioritizing players with more playing time in the lead-up to the competition.
As Ghana readies to commence their AFCON campaign against Cape Verde on Sunday, January 14, 2024, the absence of Thomas Partey looms large.
The team, quadruple champions, will also face challenges from Egypt and Mozambique in Group B, seeking to make a resounding impact in a tournament that kicks off on Saturday, January 13, 2024, with Ivory Coast taking on Guinea-Bissau.
