Thomas Partey has been left out of Ghana’s squad for the opening matches of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia, with the experienced midfielder still working his way back to full match fitness after a hamstring injury.
Partey’s absence is one of the major talking points from Carlos Queiroz’s first squad for Ghana’s new AFCON qualifying campaign. The 33-year-old midfielder was part of the Black Stars squad at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and remains one of the most experienced players in the team, but his latest injury has ruled him out of the September international window.
The midfielder sustained the injury during Al Shabab’s Saudi Pro League meeting with Al Riyadh in August. The setback forced him to undergo a period of rehabilitation and kept him out of four consecutive league matches for the Saudi Arabian club.
Partey missed Al Shabab’s matches against Al-Hazem, Al-Hilal, Al-Kholood and Al-Fayha between September 4 and 17, with his hamstring problem listed as the reason for his absence.
Although Partey recently returned to training, his comeback came too late for him to be considered for Ghana’s upcoming fixtures.
The midfielder had stepped up his rehabilitation and returned to intensive training under the supervision of Al Shabab’s fitness staff. His return to training had raised hopes that he could be available for the Black Stars, but Queiroz has ultimately decided not to include him in the 24-man squad.
Another factor surrounding Partey’s omission is his limited competitive football since joining Al Shabab. He has played only 77 minutes of competitive football for the Saudi club since his move, leaving him without the level of match exposure normally required ahead of two important international fixtures.
The timing of the injury is particularly significant because Ghana are preparing for a demanding start to their AFCON qualification campaign.
The Black Stars have been drawn in Group C alongside Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia and Somalia, with the top two teams in the group scheduled to qualify for the 2027 tournament.
Ghana will begin the campaign away to Côte d’Ivoire on September 24 before hosting The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 29.
The Black Stars will subsequently travel to Morocco for an international friendly against the Atlas Lions on October 4.
Partey’s absence means Queiroz will have to begin the qualifying campaign without one of the midfielders who has been a regular presence in Ghana’s national-team setup for several years.
The midfielder has accumulated extensive international experience and has been involved in major tournaments and qualification campaigns with the Black Stars. His ability to operate in central midfield has made him an important player for Ghana over the years.
However, his current situation means the technical team must look at alternative midfield combinations for the opening games.
The omission also comes at a time when Queiroz is introducing changes to the Black Stars squad. Mohammed Kudus has returned after missing Ghana’s World Cup campaign through injury, while Alexander Djiku is also back in the team.
Queiroz has also rewarded players who have been performing regularly for their clubs, including New York Red Bulls midfielder Ronald Donkor and SV Elversberg defender Jan Gyamerah, both of whom have received their maiden senior Black Stars call-ups.
Partey’s omission therefore comes against the backdrop of a squad that is undergoing some changes under the new coach.
The midfielder had only recently returned to training when the squad was announced, meaning the decision appears closely connected to his injury recovery and lack of competitive minutes rather than a permanent exclusion from Ghana’s plans. Reports on his situation indicate that he had been sidelined for around two weeks after suffering the injury at club level.
For Ghana, the priority will now be to manage the midfield without Partey while ensuring that the team gets off to a strong start in Group C.
The Black Stars missed out on qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and will be seeking a return to the continental competition through the 2027 qualifying campaign.
Partey, meanwhile, will continue his recovery with Al Shabab as he works towards regaining full fitness and competitive rhythm.
His recent return to training is a positive development, but his absence from the Black Stars squad means he will not be involved in Ghana’s first two AFCON qualifying matches or the subsequent friendly against Morocco.
For now, Queiroz will have to proceed without one of his most experienced midfield options, while Partey focuses on returning to full fitness and regular club football before the next international window.
