Ghana coach keeps faith in Partey but Abdul Rahman Baba doubtful for tie
Partey has been in good form at Arsenal lately and has contributed enormously to the Gunners' impressive rise to fourth in the Premier League
Ghana coach Otto Addo is counting on Thomas Partey to lead the Black Stars to victory over their West African rivals Nigeria this month.
Black Stars take on Super Eagles with a spot at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar up for grabs.
The two teams will meet twice, first on March 25 at the Cape Coast Stadium and then four days later at M.K.O Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Nigeria last week announced their squad with Ghana expected to reveal theirs in the coming days.
Ghana’s squad won’t feature skipper Andre Ayew whose red card against Comoros at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nation (AFCON) rules him out of the tie.
His absence is certainly a big blow but his deputy Partey is expected to step up and inspire Ghana to achieve qualification.
Partey will be the captain for both games, barring unforeseen circumstances.
The Arsenal man often demonstrates his immense quality when he captains the team with four goals in five games.
The only game he didn't score was a friendly against Algeria ahead of the AFCON, which the North Africans won convincingly in Doha.
He had scored in four consecutive games, including a fine free-kick that gave Ghana an important away win in the qualifying group stage.
Partey has been in good form at Arsenal lately and has contributed enormously to the Gunners' impressive rise to fourth in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, defender Abdul Rahman Baba may not be available for the Eagles match.
Baba who is expected to be named in Otto Addo's squad for the play-off tie has been out of action for close to a month which makes him a doubt to face Nigeria.
The 27-year-old fullback picked up a thigh injury on February 19, 2022, when Reading beat Preston North End 3-2 in the Championship.
Baba has since not featured for Reading in their matches against Birmingham City, Blackpool FC and Millwall FC.
Baba has made 24 appearances for Reading in the English second-tier this campaign and has provided one assist in the process.
He has 41 caps to his credit since making his debut on September 10, 2014
