Chris Hughton claimed that Partey was injured and that it wasn’t wise to risk having him participate in the game.
The Arsenal midfielder’s exclusion from the starting lineup was unexpected because he was a member of the Black Stars team that traveled to Luanda to face the Black Antelopes.
🇬🇭Chris Hughton🗣
‘Small injury issues’ kept Thomas Partey out of Angola Clash. pic.twitter.com/NEXbG2PDSM
— George Addo Jnr (@addojunr) March 28, 2023
Having captained his country in the reverse fixture four days earlier at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, the 29-year-old didn’t play any minutes away at Angola.
Instead, Hughton opted for the midfield duo of Abdul Salis Samed and Edmund Addo, with Majeed Ashimeru coming on in the second half to make an impact.
As a result, the Black Stars and Angola drew 1-1, with Osman Bukari’s late goal canceling out Lucas Joao’s first-half goal.
Hughton cited Partey’s injury as the reason the Arsenal player wasn’t able to play despite traveling with the team.
“Thomas [Partey] has some slight injury difficulties and we felt it was too big of a risk to start him,” the Ghana head stated.
The Black Stars, who are currently one point ahead of Central African Republic in second place, are still at the top of Group E. (CAR).
With two more qualifying games remaining, Ghana might earn qualification to the 2023 AFCON if they win their next encounter against Madagascar in June.