Ghana’s national football team, the Black Stars, faced a setback as coach Chris Hughton confirmed the exclusion of Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey from the 2023 AFCON squad due to injury.
Thomas Partey, a key player for Ghana, was anticipated to lead the team in their quest for a 5th AFCON title in Ivory Coast starting January 13. However, due to a hamstring issue sidelining him from Arsenal since October 30, he is unfit for the 2023 AFCON.
Coach Hughton shared, “This is the most significant injury he has had. Our priority is to provide him the support he needs during this period. Despite his injury, he would have been in the squad.”
The 27-man AFCON squad includes players like Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Mohammed Kudus (West Ham), Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth), and right-back Tariq Lamptey (Brighton). Notably, Andre Ayew from Le Havre in France will be part of the record-tying eighth AFCON edition.
Winger Abdul Fatawu, on loan from Sporting CP to Leicester, and left-back Baba Rahman (PAOK) are absent from the squad, each for different reasons.
Here is the complete 2023 AFCON squad for Ghana:
Goalkeepers:
- Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St Gallen, Switzerland)
- Richard Ofori (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)
- Joe Wollacott (Hibernian, Scotland)
Defenders:
- Daniel Amartey (Leicester City, England)
- Alexander Djiku (Fenerbahce, Turkey)
- Abdul Fatawu Hamidu (Medeama, Ghana)
- Gideon Mensah (Auxerre, France)
- Denis Odoi (Club Bruges, Belgium)
- Nicholas Opoku (Amiens, France)
- Mohammed Salisu (Monaco, France)
- Kingsley Schindler (Samsunspor, Turkey)
- Alidu Seidu (Clermont, France)
Midfielders:
- Majeed Ashimeru (Anderlecht, Belgium)
- Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia)
- Baba Iddrisu (Mallorca, Spain)
- Ransford Konigsdorffer (Hamburg, Germany)
- Mohammed Kudus (West Ham, England)
- Richmond Lamptey (Asante Kotoko, Ghana)
- Elisha Owusu (Auxerre, France)
- Joseph Paintsil (Genk, Belgium)
- Salis Abdul Samed (Lens, France)
Forwards:
- Andre Ayew (Le Havre, France)
- Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace, England)
- Ernest Nuamah (RWD Molenbeek, Belgium)
- Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth, England)
- Jonathan Sowah (Medeama, Ghana)
- Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao, Spain)
It’s worth noting that Ghana kicks off their 2023 AFCON campaign in Group B alongside Egypt, Cape Verde, and Mozambique.
