Thomas Partey: GFA Provides Key Update on Black Stars Midfielder Ahead of Court Appearance
- The Ghana Football Association has issued a crucial update on Thomas Partey’s availability for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers
- The ex-Arsenal star is due for his second court appearance just two days before Ghana clashes with Chad
- Partey boasts an impressive record in the qualifiers, contributing 11 goals in 12 outings for the Black Stars
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The Ghana Football Association has addressed growing uncertainty surrounding Thomas Partey’s situation, with Communications Director Henry Asante Twum offering a firm assurance about the midfielder’s role in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
The former Arsenal man is currently facing serious legal proceedings in London.
Source: Getty Images
GFA spokesperson gives important update about Partey
He has been charged with five counts of non-consensual acts and one count of sexual assault involving three women. Partey has denied all allegations.
After appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5, he is scheduled to return to court at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, September 2.
With Ghana set to face Chad just two days later, the timing of the hearing has raised questions among fans and pundits about whether the player will be available to feature in Otto Addo’s squad.
Twum, however, was quick to put those concerns to rest.
“Thomas will be with us, he will be here on time. We have spoken to him and his handlers and they have assured us that he will be in camp on time to join us for the trip to N’Djamena.
"So we are expecting him to arrive in camp and join the rest of the team for the first game as well as the second game on Monday, September 8,” he told 3Sports.
For Otto Addo, the question of whether to include Partey in his squad for the doubleheader against Chad and Mali is anything but straightforward.
The midfielder has been central to Ghana’s World Cup push, underlined by his brace against Madagascar in March.
Source: Getty Images
In 12 qualifying appearances, Partey has tallied nine goals and two assists, per Transfermarkt, highlighting his unmatched influence in midfield.
Partey absent as Black Stars open camp
Meanwhile, the Black Stars have already opened camp for the upcoming qualifiers, with Antoine Semenyo, Elisha Owusu, Jerry Afriyie, and Joseph Anang among the first arrivals.
They were joined in training by Christopher Bonsu Baah, Hearts of Oak’s Benjamin Asare, defender Jonas Adjetey, Ibrahim Osman, Bologna loanee Ibrahim Sulemana, Atalanta’s Kamaldeen Sulemana, Gideon Mensah, and skipper Jordan Ayew, according to Ghanafa.org.
Watch highlights of the Black Stars' training session:
Still, amid the excitement surrounding the squad, all eyes remain on one lingering question: will Ghana’s most influential midfielder be fit to feature in N’Djamena and later in Accra when Mali comes calling?
With the Black Stars sitting atop Group I, back-to-back wins in September could all but seal their passage to the 2026 World Cup.
Partey features in Villarreal's La Liga draw with Celta
Before heading to London for his court appearance, YEN.com.gh reported that Thomas Partey was in action for Villarreal in their La Liga fixture against Celta Vigo.
The midfielder came off the bench in the second half to replace Alberto Moleiro and, in less than 30 minutes, stamped his authority in the middle of the park.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
