Thomas Partey did not participate against Angola in Luanda due to precautionry measures, according to Black Stars head coach Chris Hughton.
With Andre Ayew’s absence from the team, the midfielder was supposed to lead Ghana in the away leg of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Angola.
For many Ghanaians, Hughton’s decision to omit the Arsenal midfielder from the starting lineup came as a surprise.
Partey was not enlisted and had no impact as the Black Stars rallied from a goal down to earn a point at a time when the team also appeared to need a leader on the field.
Speaking after the game, Hughton revealed the rationale behind Partey’s no show against the Palencas Negras.
“Thomas [Partey] has some small injury issues and we felt it was too big of a risk to start him,” told the media.
Partey put out arguably one of his best performances for the Black Stars in the 1-0 win over Angola at the Baba Yara Stadium on Thursday, March 24.
The draw in Luanda now means Ghana maintain their lead at the top of Group E with just a point separating them and the Central African Republic.