Don't beg Thomas Partey to come and play Mali, CAR games - Atta Poku tells Otto Addo, GFA

Ace sports journalist Collins Atta Poku has argued that Black Stars players need no motivation to turn up for their 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic.

Atta Poku asserts that the importance of the two matches should serve as enough stimulation for the players to show up and perform for Ghanaians.

He noted that the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada, is of significant importance to Ghanaians and that the Black Stars players should be motivated enough to win both games for the Black Stars.

He responded to reports of Thomas Partey’s possible exclusion from the games, arguing forcefully that the Arsenal midfielder should not be begged to play for the Black Stars.

While disputing the veracity of those reports, Atta Poku stated that Partey would love to follow the same path as Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien, and Sulley Muntari, who bowed out of the national team on the back of World Cup participation.

He explained that Ghana needs victories against Mali and the Central African Republic to be in the driving seat for qualification and that all in-form players, including Thomas Partey, should be present in the squad.

"Nobody needs to speak to Teye Partey to play that game in Bamako. If you are a player worth your salt, these are some of the matches you use to prove your mettle. He is one of the leaders in the team, so why should we beg him to come and play this game?

"The World Cup is at stake, and I’m sure he would love to play in his last World Cup. Stephen Appiah did it in 2010, and Essien and Muntari did it in 2014. They exited the national team after the World Cup. What has this crop of players achieved? Nobody should beg anyone to come and play this game.

"In 2009, it was then-youngster Kwadwo Asamoah who won us the game against Mali in the World Cup qualifiers. His teammates, Jorginho and Declan Rice, will be playing in the European Championship. Partey’s equivalent of that is the World Cup qualifiers, so he should come and play. I don’t think he will turn down call-ups," he said.

Meanwhile, coach Otto Addo is expected to announce the squad for the two games next week.

The Black Stars are scheduled to face Mali in Bamako on June 6, followed by a match against the Central African Republic at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on June 10.

EK