Ghana drops Arsenal star Partey as the nation tries to survive the AFCON

With the first matchday five matchups scheduled for Wednesday, Ghana has benched Thomas Partey, a midfielder for Arsenal, for what might be crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola and Niger.

Otto Addo, the embattled coach, would not explain why he left out the 31-year-old, who has 13 goals in 49 international games.

“My reasons are confidential. I hope he will rejoin us for the next international window in March (World Cup qualifying),” he told reporters.

West Ham United midfielder Mohamed Kudus has been replaced as captain by Leicester City attacker Jordan Ayew in another decision involving Premier League players.

Ghana could miss the finals for the first time since 2004 after Kudus led the Black Stars to a single point in their home and away games against Sudan last month.

With just two points from four Group F games, the third-most successful nation in the AFCON, with four trophies, is currently in third place.

Ghana’s only chance to pass second-place Sudan and earn a spot in the 2025 tournament in Morocco is to defeat leaders Angola on the road on Friday and Niger at home three days later.

Even though Sudan must play at home against a nation mired in civil war, they only need one point from their matches against Niger and Angola to qualify.

With the final round of qualifiers set for the next three days, AFP Sport highlights five more matchday five clashes between Wednesday and Saturday.

Benin v Nigeria

Nigeria needs one point to secure qualification, and reigning African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen returns from injury for Group D matches against Benin and Rwanda.

Caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen has a number of alternatives when it comes to choosing his frontline, including Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Victor Boniface.

However, after losing 2-1 to a squad led by former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr in a World Cup qualifying match last year, Nigeria would be cautious when facing Benin.

Botswana v Mauritania

when two rounds, Botswana looked eliminated from contention for a finals spot when travel issues caused Egypt to thrash them with four goals, rendering the Zebras useless and disheartened.

A home victory over Mauritania will secure a spot in Morocco, but unexpected home and away Group C victories over Cape Verde have put them second behind Egypt, who have already qualified.

Following Botswana’s one-goal victories over Cape Verde, French coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa left the team to join Al Ahly Tripoli, and South African Morena Ramoreboli was appointed interim manager.

Gambia v Comoros

Last month, Comoros defied the odds by defeating the Carthage Eagles 16 times in a row at home in AFCON qualifiers, thanks to a goal by Rafiki Said.

If they defeat Gambia, a team led by Italian coach Stefano Cusin and primarily made up of football players from the lower French leagues will qualify from Group A.

Due to the lack of an international-standard stadium in the Gambia, the game is being held in the Moroccan city of Berkane.

Uganda v South Africa

Hugo Broos of South Africa and Paul Put of Uganda, both Belgian coaches, will play each other in a match between the probable Group K qualifiers.

Should Congo Brazzaville lose to South Sudan, who are improving minnows, 24 hours prior, both will be guaranteed qualification.

Denis Omedi, a forward based at home, has performed well for Uganda. The injured Burnley forward will be missed by South Africa. Al Ahly winger Percy Tau and Lyle Foster have been let go.

Zimbabwe v Kenya

Zimbabwe has a chance to advance from Group J with one game remaining in this matchup between nations who were disqualified from the previous AFCON due to government meddling.

For a Zimbabwean squad led by German coach Michael Nees, who is compelled to play in Polokwane, South Africa, due to a lack of a suitable venue for AFCON matches, a point will do.

Although a loss in two of the four qualifiers must worry Turkish coach Engin Firat, Kenya must win to maintain hopes of joining Cameroon, who have already qualified.

AFP