By Issah Olegor
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has officially clarified the absence of senior midfielder Thomas Partey from the Black Stars’ squad ahead of their highly anticipated Unity Cup clash against Nigeria in London.
The match is scheduled for Wednesday May 28, at the GTech Community Stadium in West London.
According to a GFA statement released on Monday, Partey’s exclusion is not injury-related but a deliberate decision to rest the 31-year-old Arsenal midfielder after a taxing club season. Partey played a pivotal role for the Gunners, contributing significantly to their deep run in the UEFA Champions League—where they reached the semi-finals—and their second-place finish in the English Premier League.
GFA officials emphasized that Partey remains a key figure in the national team setup under head coach Otto Addo.
However, the technical team, in consultation with the player, agreed it was prudent to allow him a recovery period to ensure peak fitness ahead of Ghana’s critical 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches set for September.
“Thomas Partey is still an integral part of our long-term plans,” the GFA stressed.
“He has been excused from this month’s Unity Cup to enable full recuperation after a demanding season in England.”
Partey’s season with Arsenal marked a return to form after injury setbacks in previous campaigns.
His performances earned plaudits for his leadership, tactical discipline, and stability in midfield—a crucial component of Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing squad.
The Unity Cup, a mini-tournament aimed at fostering international sporting solidarity among nations with large diasporas in the UK, will see Ghana and Nigeria renew their fierce football rivalry.
The winner of their fixture will advance to the final to face either Jamaica or Trinidad and Tobago.
While Partey’s absence is a notable one, coach Otto Addo is expected to use the opportunity to test new talent and build squad depth ahead of competitive assignments later in the year.
The Black Stars’ clash with the Super Eagles is expected to draw a large crowd from the African diaspora, reinforcing the deep cultural and sporting bonds shared between the two West African giants.
