Thomas Partey wanted to come, but I made it quite clear why he's not coming - Otto Addo

Ghanaian

Black Stars coach Otto Addo has explained his choice to exclude Thomas Partey from Ghana's squad for the upcoming matches, highlighting a private discussion aimed at safeguarding the player.

In a media briefing, Addo stressed his commitment to confidentiality while offering some context for his decision. He stated, "I had a private conversation with

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My role as a coach is to protect the players. The key for me was ensuring understanding. I won’t disclose internal matters, but I clearly communicated to him why he wouldn’t be part of the squad, despite his desire to join."

Addo's remarks indicate that the decision was mutually agreed upon, rooted in personal reasons. He noted, "As I mentioned, it’s confidential, so I can’t elaborate on everything, but perhaps we should move forward."

Partey’s absence has led to adjustments in the team's leadership dynamics. Addo revealed that Partey was initially set to captain the team. "The plan was for Thomas to lead and guide the squad," he said.

With Partey out, Addo has looked to younger players for leadership opportunities. "Following my discussions with Thomas, I spoke to Kudus. He’s still young and needs to develop into that role," he noted.

Defender Alexander Djiku and midfielder Mohammed Kudus were initially chosen to support Partey, but with his unavailability, Jordan Ayew has taken over the captaincy. "Previously, he was captain because we anticipated Thomas's participation," Addo concluded.