Ghana has announced its 27-man squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ivory Coast, but it has left out two prominent players, Thomas Partey and Tariq Lamptey. The exclusion of these players has raised eyebrows and sparked speculation about the reasons behind it.
Partey’s Omission
One of the glaring omissions from Ghana’s squad is Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey. According to Ghana coach Chris Hughton, Partey was left out due to a hamstring injury. Hughton emphasized that despite his injury, Partey would have been included in the squad due to his exceptional quality as a player. However, the severity of the injury meant that the coaching staff and association decided to give him the necessary support to recover fully.
Another surprising exclusion is Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey. The young full-back suffered an injury while playing for Brighton in November, and manager Roberto de Zerbi mentioned that he would be out for a significant period. This setback likely played a role in Lamptey’s omission from the squad.
A notable inclusion in the Ghana squad is Andre Ayew. His selection means he will be participating in a record-equalling eighth Africa Cup of Nations tournament since his debut in 2008. Ayew has been a consistent presence in Ghana’s national team, only missing the 2013 edition of the tournament. His experience and leadership will undoubtedly be crucial for the team’s success.
Ghana finds itself in Group B alongside Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique. The team’s first match is against Cape Verde on January 14th, followed by encounters with Egypt and Mozambique. While Ghana has a strong track record in the Africa Cup of Nations, winning the tournament four times, they will face tough opposition in their bid to claim the title once again.
The Final Squad
Here is the complete list of players selected for Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations squad:
– Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Richard Ofori, Joe Wollacott
– Defenders: Daniel Amartey, Alexander Djiku, Abdul Fatawu Hamid, Gideon Mensah, Denis Odoi, Nicholas Opoku, Mohammed Salisu, Kingsley Schindler, Alidu Seidu
– Midfielders: Majeed Ashimeru, Osman Bukari, Baba Iddrisu, Ransford Koningsdorffer, Mohammed Kudus (West Ham United), Richmond Lamptey, Elisha Owusu, Joseph Paintsil, Salis Abdul Samed
– Forwards: Andre Ayew (Le Havre), Jordan Ayew, Ernest Nuamah, Antoine Semenyo, Jonathan Sowah, Inaki Williams.
The exclusion of Thomas Partey and Tariq Lamptey from Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations squad has generated discussions and speculation among football enthusiasts. While Partey’s omission can be attributed to his ongoing hamstring injury, Lamptey’s absence is likely due to his extended recovery period from a previous injury. Ghana will rely on the experience and leadership of Andre Ayew as they navigate through a competitive Group B in their quest for continental glory.
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