ACCRA, Nov. 15 – Black Stars deputy captain Thomas Partey is set to miss Ghana’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Somalia on Monday, November 16, as he attends the final funeral rites of his late father, Jacob Teye Partey.
The midfielder is expected to be involved in funeral rites in Accra and Odumase, making him unavailable for the Matchday Four return fixture at the Essipong Sports Stadium in Sekondi, GhanaWeb and SportsWorldGhana reported.
Full 90 minutes in first-leg win
Partey, 32, played the full 90 minutes in Ghana’s 2-0 victory over Somalia at the same venue on Thursday, as the Black Stars picked up their first win of the qualifying campaign under interim coach Kim Lars Björkegren. Jonas Adjetey and Felix Afena-Gyan scored the goals.
His expected absence leaves Björkegren to find another option in midfield as Ghana chase back-to-back wins over the East African side.
Black Stars stand with Partey
After Thursday’s game, the squad travelled to Accra on Friday morning and went straight to the Transitions Funeral Home for the funeral of Partey’s father, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) said.
“It was a moment of unity and solidarity for the team, who put their preparations for Monday’s return fixture against Somalia on hold to stand with one of their own in a difficult moment,” the GFA said in a statement.
Minister for Sports and Recreation Kofi Adams joined the team to commiserate with the family. GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku led the football delegation, which included Executive Council members Dr Randy Abbey, Samuel Aboabire and Gideon Fosu. Former captains Stephen Appiah and Andre Ayew, as well as Anthony Baffoe, Awudu Issaka and David Accam, were also present, according to the GFA.
Ghana host Somalia again on Monday at the Essipong Sports Stadium.
Source: Ghana Football Association; GhanaWeb; SportsWorldGhana; Adomonline.
Featured image: Oye News GH graphic.