Ghana’s head coach Carlos Queiroz has defended his inclusion of Thomas Partey in the squad for the upcoming friendly against Wales, a crucial warm-up before the World Cup.
Partey, a former Arsenal midfielder now playing for Villarreal, faces serious allegations that include seven counts of rape and one of sexual assault, stemming from incidents in London between 2020 and 2022.
Legal Matters Surrounding Partey
The 32-year-old Partey has denied all allegations, with a trial scheduled for November, although it may be postponed until 2027. Queiroz announced Partey’s name in the initial 28-man squad for the World Cup, but later reduced it to 26 on Monday. This match in Cardiff presents Partey with his first opportunity to play in England since last September.
Queiroz Stresses Presumption of Innocence
During a press briefing, Queiroz remarked, “As far as I am concerned, we live in a world where the presumption of innocence is on our side in every case until a court makes a formal decision.” He emphasized the challenges posed by social media, stating that individuals often face accusations without the chance to defend themselves.
Ghana’s Squad for the World Cup
The Ghanaian team, featuring talents like Manchester City’s Antoine Semenyo and Leicester City’s Jordan Ayew, will enter the World Cup as part of a group that includes England. This friendly match against Wales not only marks the 150th anniversary of Welsh football but also represents the first instance of the Dragons taking on an African team at home.
Preparations Underway
Queiroz, known for his previous role as an assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and as Iran’s coach in the last World Cup, expressed his excitement about leading Ghana. “It’s an honor to play against the Welsh national team. This match is integral to our World Cup preparation and everything is moving according to our objectives,” he stated.
Footballing Philosophy
The coach reiterated Ghana’s objective for the friendly, indicating, “We know from experience that playing good football enhances our chances of success. Our aim is to showcase our abilities and express ourselves positively in the game against Wales.”
Upcoming Matches and Group Composition
Following the friendly against Wales, Ghana is set to begin Group L matches against Panama in Toronto on June 17, with another match scheduled against Croatia. The squad boasts a mix of experienced and emerging players across various positions.
Comprehensive Squad List
Ghana’s national team includes:
- Goalkeepers: Benjamin Asare (Accra Hearts of Oak SC), Lawrence Ati-Gigi (St. Gallen), Joseph Anangu (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Solomon Agbasi (Accra Hearts of Oak SC), Paul Riverson (Ajax)
- Defenders: Baba Abdul Rahman (PAOK), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Marvin Senaya (Auxerre), Alidou Seydou (Rennes), Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano), Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir), Jonas Adjetei (Wolfsburg), Kojo Oppong Peprah (Nice), Alexander Zyk (Spartak Moscow), Elisha Owusu (Auxerre)
- Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Villarreal), Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo), Augustin Boakye (Saint-Etienne), Caleb Ilenki (Norseland), Abdel Fattaw Issahak (Leicester City)
- Forwards: Kamardine Slemana (Atalanta), Christopher Bonsu Barr (Al Qadosia), Ernest Nuama (Lyon), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Brandon Thomas Asante (Coventry City), Prince Kwabena Adu (Viktoria Plzen), Iñaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City).
Information from PA has contributed to this report.
