Why Nigeria should be fearful of Thomas Partey in crucial clash

The last phase of the Qatar World Cup qualifiers on the African continent takes place this week, with 5 teams needed to represent the continent at the global show piece.

Ghana and Nigeria will face off twice in the space of five days with the sole aim of taking one of the five slots available for the continent.

Adding to the long standing history and rivalry between the two sides, the fixtures will be keenly contested.

In order to qualify ahead of their neighbors, Ghana will be hoping that Thomas Partey who has been in scintillating form in recent weeks for Arsenal will be at his absolute best to lead the team to victory.

In here, we take a look at why Ghanaians can be optimistic and why Nigeria should be fearful of Ghana’s main man.

Why Nigeria should be fearful of Thomas Partey

#1 Incredible form 

Thomas Partey once again delivered a thoroughly impressive performance for Arsenal as they defeated Aston Villa in the Premier League in their hunt for a place in the top 4.

The narrative has not always been the same for the Ghanaian international since he joined from Atletico Madrid in 2020, largely displaying sub par performances especially in his first season.

But he has now found his form and rhythm in the middle of the park for Arsenal, serving as the chief orchestra for the team’s play.

In the game against Aston Villa on Saturday, Partey racked up some impressive statistics below:

Thomas Partey’s game by numbers vs. Aston Villa (via Squawka):

88% pass accuracy
58 touches
9x possession won
9 final third entries
5 duels won
3 take-ons attempted
2 take-ons completed
2 tackles
2 interceptions
1 chance created
1 shot on target

Prominent Twitter account, Premier League Panel also provided an insight into Partey’s stunning development by indicating:

“Thomas Partey is now stepping onto football pitches with authority. He’s regularly finding spaces as the 6 to pass or carry the ball out of Arsenal’s first phase of build-up.

And he’s become dominant off-the-ball to win duels that sustain pressure & recover balls in his own half.”

With such superior form, Partey will be expected to lead the Black Stars to victory next week, and if he is able to replicate his recent form, then Nigeria will have an awful lot to do in the two legs.

#2 Time for redemption 

Thomas Partey was one of a few Black Stars players who issued a public apology following the team’s humiliating display at the African Cup of Nations.

The Black Stars could only pick up a point in three games and were far from a decent team as they finished bottom in a group that had Morocco Gabon and Comoros.

Realizing the extent of the humiliation, Partey released a statement after the tournament, indicating:

“I love this club and love my country even though things don’t happen how I wanted, I would continue to work harder and make things right. “I came back with the mentality to make myself available for the team to get to the final but it did not happen as planned.

“I will continue to give my all when am on the field of play because this is my life and this is what I chose to do. “Am not happy with all that happened yesterday at the AFCON but I understand only with hard work things will continue to work hard to change this. Thanks.”

The opportunity to secure a World Cup spot will thus be more than an appealing prospect as he and the players seem to redeem their image.

#3 Time to make history as captain

He was not involved when the Black Stars thrashed Egypt by 6-1 in Kumasi in 2013 but Thomas Partey must have been watching keenly.

Like the games against Nigeria this month, those games against Egypt were crucial in the Stars securing a spot at the 2014 World Cup.

Led by Asamoah Gyan, the team run riot in Kumasi to finish the job and secure a place in their third World Cup final.

Unfortunately, the team was unable to qualify for the 2018 edition in Russia and will do all possible to make it this time.

Thomas Partey in the absence of Andre Ayew who is suspended for the game will want to make history by qualifying Ghana to its fourth World Cup final and on the fun side break some Nigerian hearts.