Injury blow for Thomas Partey ahead of crucial Man Utd, Central African Republic clashes

Thomas Partey, the Arsenal midfielder and key player for Ghana's national football team, the Black Stars, is set to face a spell on the sidelines due to injury, as confirmed by his national team doctor, Prince Pambo.

The injury revelation emerged as Partey was notably absent from Ghana's recent squad announcement for their upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against the Central African Republic (CAR) and Arsenal's clash today against Manchester United in the English Premier League.

Despite participating in four matches for Arsenal, the 30-year-old footballer has been ruled out of the highly anticipated clash, causing concerns for the Ghanaian national team.

Dr. Prince Pambo, the team doctor, disclosed the details of Partey's injury, stating, "He sustained a groin injury during training on Thursday, August 31, 2023. He is currently unavailable as Club Doctors predict he's likely to be out for a couple of weeks."

This setback has placed added pressure on Ghana's head coach, Chris Hughton, who must now consider alternative options to fill the void left by the deputy captain. Players like Salis Abdul, Samed, Baba Iddrisu, and Elisha Owusu are expected to be among those called upon to step up in Partey's absence.

Currently, Ghana sits in the top spot in their qualifying group. However, an unexpected loss to CAR, who are also vying for qualification, could potentially eliminate Ghana from the competition.

The crucial showdown is scheduled to take place on Thursday, September 7, 2023, at the Baba Yara Stadium. It will be a test of resilience and determination for the Black Stars as they seek to secure their place in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d' Ivoire.