Queiroz on Partey’s Selection
Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz has stated he has no reservations about including former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey in the squad for the upcoming World Cup. Partey, aged 32, is currently with Spanish club Villarreal and has rejoined the national team in the UK as part of a 28-man squad.
Partey is facing legal proceedings, having pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault. These allegations stem from incidents reported by four different women between 2020 and 2022, with his trial scheduled for next year.
When questioned about his decision to select Partey, Queiroz responded, “If the player is here with me, my answer is clear. I don’t have any comments about my own decisions. He is here so what are we talking about? This is not for me or you to make a judgement about. Let the events run their normal course; let the river flow and one day when the river meets the ocean we are going to find the truth.”
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kurt Okraku, had previously indicated the governing body’s support for Partey. Partey joined Arsenal in 2020 and departed at the end of his contract last summer.
Preparations for International Friendlies and World Cup
The Black Stars are preparing for an international friendly against Wales. This match is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, with kick-off at 7:45 pm (UK time) at the Cardiff City Stadium. The team’s official training session will precede a press conference where Coach Queiroz is expected to provide updates on his players and the team’s preparations.
Antoine Semenyo, an attacker from Manchester City, joined his international teammates over the weekend. Partey has been training with the Ghana side, marking the first time the team will play under Queiroz, who was appointed Black Stars boss in April.
Ghana is set to compete in Group L at the World Cup, where they will face England. The 2010 quarter-finalists will begin their campaign against Panama on June 17.
Queiroz’s Vision for Ghana Football
Queiroz, who has previously managed Portugal and Real Madrid, and served as an assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, expressed his enthusiasm for his new role. He highlighted the passion for football in Ghana, describing it as being “in the blood, it is everything.”
He added that the combination of this passion and the talent available creates an “explosive combination to succeed,” which was a primary factor in his attraction to the Ghana coaching position. Queiroz conveyed a sense of readiness, stating, “We’re ready to take off and start to fly straight to the World Cup.”
The upcoming friendly against Wales will be broadcast live on various platforms, including BBC iPlayer, BBC One Wales, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, and Sports Extra, alongside live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app.
Kwame Ofori
Evelyn Mensah
Yaw Appiah
Ama Serwah