Thomas Partey named in Black Stars XI to face Ivory Coast after missing Morocco friendly

Arsenal midfielder, Thomas Partey has been selected as one of two central midfielders for the Black Stars of Ghana as they play their West African opponent, Ivory Coast tonight.

The deputy skipper was not involved in Ghana’s 1-0 defeat against Morocco last week, with the Ghana Football Association indicating that he had been given permission to attend to some personal issues.

Before the statement from the FA, rumors were rife in the local media of Partey being sacked from the training ground after appearing late.

But those rumors were put to bed and Partey joined the team’s training sessions upon the team’s arrival from Morocco.

He has now been named in the starting XI to face Ivory Coast this afternoon and will play alongside Baba Idrissu in the center of the park.

Partey is among a couple of players including Emmanuel Gyasi and Andre Ayew who have been introduced into the starting lineup by coach CK Akonnor.

In the build up to the game, Thomas Partey clamored for support for the Black Stars and he will be hoping to get that this afternoon.

“We need the support of Ghanaians no matter where we are. If we are down or on top, they have to support us and push up to achieve whatever we want to achieve,” Thomas Partey said on TV3’s WarmUp Plus show.

The friendly game between the Black Stars and Ivory Coast will begin at 5pm and will be shown on MaxTV.

The starting line up

Lawrence Ati Zigi
Andy Yaidom
Abdul Baba Rahman
Daniel Amartey
Alexander Djiku
Baba Iddrisu
Thomas Partey
Kudus Mohammed
Andre Ayew
Jordan Ayew
Emmanuel Gyasi