Ghana left Arsenal’s Thomas Partey and Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey out of its 27-man squad named on Monday for the African Cup of Nations final in neighboring Ivory Coast, which begins later this month.
Partey’s omission comes as Ghana coach Chris Hughton said he had been given more time to recover from a hamstring injury.
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“Despite his injury, he would certainly be in the team. We know the quality of player he is. He is a player who has a significant injury,” Hughton said at a news conference on Monday.
“I have spent a lot during this period of time with Thomas and also interacting with Arsenal’s medical staff. This is the biggest injury he has had. The most important thing for me as head coach and for our partnership is to give him the opportunity.” support you need during this period of time.
Lamptey was injured playing for Brighton in November, after which manager Roberto de Zerbi said he would be out for a “significant period”.
Ghana have included Andre Ayew in the squad, meaning they will play in a record eighth Nations Cup tournament since their first appearance in 2008. He has competed in every tournament since then, except the 2013 edition.
Four-time winners Ghana compete in Group B of the Nations Cup, starting with a match against Cape Verde on January 14 and then facing Egypt and Mozambique.
Ghana team:
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Richard Ofori, Joe Wollacott
Defenders: Daniel Amartey, Alexander Djiku, Abdul Fatawu Hamid, Gideon Mensah, Denis Odoi, Nicholas Opoku, Mohammed Salisu, Kingsley Schindler, Alidu Seidu
Midfielders: Majeed Ashimeru, Osman Bukari, Baba Iddrisu, Ransford Koningsdorffer, Mohammed Kudus (West Ham United), Richmond Lamptey, Elisha Owusu, Joseph Paintsil, Salis Abdul Samed
Forwards: Andre Ayew (Le Havre), Jordan Ayew, Ernest Nuamah, Antoine Semenyo, Jonathan Sowah, Iñaki Williams.
